site.btaMaritime Transport and Trade Development, Infrastructure Projects Discussed at Blue Economy Summit

The Turkish city of Trabzon hosted the Blue Economy Summit between March 27 and 29, at which projects for the construction of new yacht harbours, infrastructure investments to facilitate maritime transport and trade development, as well as more opportunities for water sports enthusiasts were presented.

The participants in the forum, state institutions and business representatives from countries with access to the Black Sea, discussed the need for a new role of the sea, following the end of the war between Russia and Ukraine, and that the projects which will make this possible should be considered and prepared now.

"I believe the war has had a significant impact on the Black Sea, both in terms of trade and tourism. Once the war is over, and let's hope this happens soon, we hope to work together with all the countries that share this sea to create a new culture of yachting and cruising. I believe the Black Sea will develop even further in terms of logistics and tourism, but it will not be the same as before. Various activities for which it can be utilized will be developed, and the sea will be of greater benefit," Recep Ilhan Yildiz, Secretary General of the forum’s organizing committee, told BTA.

Investments in port infrastructure with the purpose of modernizing it, implementation of technologies for faster processing of passengers and cargo documents, as well as development of new services were discussed at the meeting between Maria Belkoleva, Chair of the Board of the Burgas Port Authority, and representatives of the Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkiye, held at the suggestion of the Turkish side.

"The meeting confirmed Turkiye’s strong interest in infrastructure projects and their willingness to participate in public-private partnerships focused on innovation and technology. Such cooperation would have the potential to accelerate port sector development in Bulgaria and strengthen regional integration," Belkoleva said.

The need to build new marinas along the Black Sea coast was also on the agenda. "This is becoming increasingly necessary due to high fees and growing number of yachts in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas," Yusuf Ziya Karagoz, chair of the Turkish Yacht Captains and Crew Association, which has nearly 2,500 members, said. The captain added that since yacht tourism is thriving in the south, but the area is saturated and more space is needed, "that is why we absolutely must turn the Black Sea into an asset, harness its potential for the economy, and prove that yachting is possible in the Black Sea as well," Karagoz said. The recommendation is to have a marina every 150-200 miles.

Creating distinctive tourism brands for cities through water sports development was also among the topics discussed at the forum.

"We need to develop sports schools, whether in Trabzon or along the entire Black Sea coastline. One athlete can influence the economy of five sectors – hotels, restaurants, bars, schools, the sports industry. This way, microeconomy can grow into macroeconomy and become an important criterion for developing cities into a trademark," Assistant Professor Bora Yargic, Sports Economist, said.

The meetings in the Turkish city of Trabzon, where ideas for the future of the Black Sea were discussed, continue over the next five years. The topic will also be raised at a captains’ meeting in Marmaris in December, to which representatives from Bulgaria are invited as well.