Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the new DÖKER-1 ship, built for use in seabed scanning activities, has been launched. Minister Uraloğlu said, “With its 750 cubic meter carrying capacity, 7.5 knot speed and center-opening cargo discharge feature, our new ship will significantly increase our seabed scanning capacity.”
Minister Uraloğlu stated that the DÖKER-1 ship launched into the sea will accelerate the dredging works in ports, shipyards and fishing shelters with the speed and capacity advantage it will provide in long dumping distances, and also conveyed that the construction process of a new suction type ship with a capacity of 700 cubic meters is continuing.
New Reinforcement to 38-Ship Fleet
Noting that the seabed scanning activities carried out by the Istanbul, Izmir and Samsun Seabed Scanning Chief Engineering Departments under the coordination of the General Directorate of Shipyards and Coastal Structures within the Ministry continue without slowing down, Uraloğlu said, “With 38 existing marine vessels and approximately 210 personnel, we have carried out 2024 thousand cubic meters of seabed scanning in 730. We continue our work in order to respond to the needs of fishermen's shelters with the growing port and shipyard capacities.”
Minister Uraloğlu, who drew attention to the fact that Türkiye is a peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides, emphasized that seabed dredging activities are important in terms of ensuring that large-capacity ships can safely dock at ports and improving the conditions of existing ports, made the following statements:
“Seabed dredging activities are of great importance not only for the handling of large ships, but also for ship maintenance and repair, new shipbuilding projects and making waterways safe. We continue our work with great care, especially in protecting the environment, the sea and the coastline, preventing coastal erosion and preserving the current water depth.”
Minister Uraloğlu stated that the pollution in the seas also increased the importance of seabed scanning activities and said, “With these activities, we both protect the environment and increase Türkiye’s global competitive power in maritime trade.”
