YDO (Higher Maritime School) graduates gathered for the 25th time.

We are in the midst of change and development. However, a significant development has caught everyone’s attention in recent years. With the shift in fuels, diesel engines are being replaced. The transition that started with dual-fuel engines is rapidly progressing towards vessels that use alternative fuels and electric ships. We are fortunate to be right in the middle of this change and development. Now, we can expect companies to invest in manufacturing new types of main engines that interest us in terms of tonnage. Because they have nowhere else to go. Manufacturing is now coming to us. It is being shared with us, and we will start working together in the near future.

This opportunity comes once in a hundred years. Such an opportunity comes once in a hundred years for our country’s maritime industry. If we can capitalize on this opportunity, we can create capital that does not exist and become influential in global maritime affairs for the first time. Sending out ships equipped with machines that we build ourselves. This period marks the beginning of a time that requires careful attention. This is the point I want to draw your attention to. We must not miss this opportunity. To achieve this, political will, the private sector, and universities can make significant progress together and bring this to our country. Meanwhile, just as ships are changing in global maritime, the definition of a seafarer is also changing rapidly.

Unmanned ships will arrive when the right fuel is found. Starting from 2023, with the excuse of carbon emissions, it should not be forgotten that the transition to unmanned ship modeling will occur rapidly on the day the correct fuel is found. We must adapt to this development and prepare for it. Ignoring this would be a big mistake. When ship fuels are corrected, meaning the day when a ship does not get stranded due to fuel, the transition to unmanned ships will happen very quickly.

Although a minimum of 8 people are considered for long voyages, serious efforts have also begun for the land-based control of ships.

In the meantime, there will be a need for new officers who can apply new software and technologies. Besides the traditional officer training in maritime education, there should be a focus on training the officers of the future.

University-industry collaboration is crucial. I believe we are entering the most suitable and easiest period for the university-industry collaboration that has always been talked about. Because the private sector has the infrastructure for these collaborations and is ready to share it. We just need to see the future well and prepare for it properly. I want to underline what I have said for the last time.

We are on par with influential countries For the first time, the Turkish maritime sector is on par with influential countries in global maritime affairs in terms of new shipbuilding and the training of officers who will operate new ships with changing fuels. We must not miss this opportunity.

Here’s to a bright future together I thank our board of directors and our foundation manager Süleyman Suten and his colleagues for their efforts in organizing this evening. Here’s to a bright future together. May our path be clear. May God protect our friends at sea.