Turkey exports ships, yachts worth around $1.3 billion

BURSA – Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s ship and yacht exports reached $1.3 billion in 2014, a 10.1 percent increase over the previous year, according to figures compiled from the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly database.

Some 72 percent of the exports were made from Istanbul and 18 percent from the northwestern province of Yalova.

The most ship and yacht exports were made to Norway with more than $224.5 million, followed by the Marshall Islands with $165 million.

Turkey also exported ships and yachts worth $121.5 million to Iraq, $93.6 million to Malta, $88.3 million to Germany and $64.6 million to Italy.

Turkey’s total 2014 exports increased 4 percent last year, reaching $157.6 billion, a record in the history of the modern republic.

Although the figure remained slightly below the government’s target of $160.5 billion, the record, which came at a time when Europe, its core market, is facing shrinkage risks and neighbors are challenged by internal tensions, was welcomed by business organizations and the economy minister.

Car sales have been a major drive, netting $22.3 billion, with textiles and chemicals following.