Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said Türkiye had reached the highest levels in the global maritime sector.
Uraloğlu visited the Teknofest Blue Homeland event held at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard in Kocaeli’s Gölcük district. Organized with the participation of the Ministry of National Defense and coordinated by the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation, the event is being held as part of the Teknofest 2026 program.
He toured the event grounds
Uraloğlu began his visit by examining the exhibition stands and also toured the historic Savarona yacht, which represents the spiritual legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic.
Uraloğlu was accompanied during his visit by Naval Forces Commander Ercüment Tatlıoğlu and ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol. The minister then watched a military display by naval special forces units, spoke with citizens and posed for photographs with children.
Türkiye’s ship exports
Speaking after the event, Uraloğlu said Teknofest Blue Homeland gave the public an opportunity to see up close the level Türkiye had reached in maritime affairs, its armed forces and the production of national ships.
Uraloğlu said Türkiye exports ships to the world’s most developed countries, including European Union member states, and that the capacity of the maritime and shipbuilding sectors was also evident in international cooperation offers.
Uraloğlu said the event had drawn strong interest and that the crowds at the venue made it difficult for him to move around.
Emphasis on domestic production
Uraloğlu said Türkiye had the power to protect every inch of land it regards as part of its territory and sovereignty, adding that the concept of the homeland included space, airspace and the seas as well as land.
Uraloğlu said the world was no longer governed by the idea that “I have money, so I can buy everything,” and that producing essential needs within the country had become necessary. He said this production was continuing at all shipyards in Türkiye, particularly military naval shipyards.
Open until August 23
The Teknofest Blue Homeland events began in Kocaeli on Thursday. Focusing on maritime affairs, the defense industry and technology, the event will welcome visitors until August 23.
