The "Maritime Sector R&D and Technology Vision Search Common Mind Platform Workshop", jointly organized by Koster Shipowners and Operators Association (KOSDER), Istanbul Maritime Strategies and Research Institute A.Ş. (IDEAS) and TUBITAK's Turkish Industry and Administration Institute (TÜSSİDE), was hosted by TÜSSİDE in Gebze on May 11.

Ahmet Selçuk Sert, Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, Tezer Battal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TÜSSİDE, Oral Erdoğan, Board Member of the Wealth Fund, Başaran Bayrak, Chairman of the Ship and Yacht Exporters' Association, Salih Zeki Çakır, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KOSDER, Feramuz Aşkın, Chairman of the Chamber of Marine Engineers, Seyfettin Tatlı, ABS Turkey Manager, representatives of the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, Türk Loydu Representatives and representatives from various branches of the maritime sector attended the workshop organized by TÜSSİDE, KOSDER and IDEAS.

Delivering the opening speech of the workshop, Tezer Battal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TÜSSİDE, informed the participants about TÜSSİDE and the activities carried out here. Battal wished that the study would be beneficial for the maritime sector and thanked the participants for their support to the study.

KOSDER Chairman Salih Zeki Çakır, one of the opening speakers of the workshop, started his speech by thanking the participants for their support to the study and gave information about the purpose and content of the workshop.

At the workshop, participants actively discussed their ideas, positive developments, opportunities and threats in their areas of work, and came to common conclusions at the tables consisting of maritime education, maritime industry, maritime trade and maritime tourism groups.

Every topic discussed and every opinion expressed at the workshop will be included in the final report to be prepared by TÜSSİDE and will be delivered in writing to the participants, relevant institutions and organizations. The next targets of IDEAS and KOSDER will be to ensure the establishment of a Maritime R&D policy based on these reports.