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Türkiye's Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced plans for a maritime agreement with Panama that he says will strengthen Turkish shipping operations worldwide, speaking at the International Maritime Organization's 34th General Assembly meeting in the British capital.
The anticipated agreement with Panama, which maintains one of the world's largest ship registries, would enable Turkish maritime workers to operate more freely in international waters and boost bilateral trade, Uraloglu told reporters following the IMO gathering.
"Panama is a very strong country in maritime affairs," Uraloglu said, adding that the agreement "will open doors for us" and "provide the opportunity for us to have more presence in many countries around the world."
The minister emphasized Türkiye's bid for re-election to Category C of the IMO Council, a position the country has held continuously since 1999. Uraloglu said he conducted extensive lobbying efforts, sending letters to counterparts and holding multiple discussions ahead of the vote.
The IMO General Assembly serves as a critical platform where decisions directly affecting global maritime affairs are made, with all stakeholders of the world's shipping regulatory framework represented, according to the minister.
During the London gathering, Türkiye signed two separate agreements with Oman — one focused on maritime cooperation and another on developing transport corridors. Uraloglu described Oman as a valuable partner, noting its position as a southern gateway to the Middle East.
The minister stressed that global developments, including the COVID-19 pandemic and regional crises, have demonstrated the necessity of diversifying transportation networks. Türkiye keeps alternative routes continually under consideration as part of this strategy, he said.
"Today we are here for maritime affairs, but we are actually discussing all of transportation," Uraloglu explained. While 85 percent of world trade moves by sea, cargo must still reach final destinations via road or rail, making cross-modal integration critical for Türkiye's approach.
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Uraloglu also raised concerns about visa difficulties that ship personnel face when seeking entry to European Union countries, calling the issue a direct impediment to maritime transport. He said delays occur when vessels cannot board crew members despite completed commercial agreements and payments.
The minister said he brought the matter to IMO leadership and several counterparts, particularly ministers from EU member states, urging them to provide support. "No country is self-sufficient anymore," Uraloglu stated, warning that failure to streamline these processes would ultimately harm the countries imposing restrictions.
In a separate bilateral meeting, Uraloglu met with Dutch Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Robert Tieman. The minister noted with pride that a Turkish company is among the firms testing autonomous vehicles in the Netherlands, where the government conducts trials across road, rail, and maritime sectors.
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