Trade Mission to London for German Biotech SMEs
March 26, 2026
Trade mission to UK – Security and Defence Industry with a Focus on Drones
April 14, 2026
Trade mission to Turkey – Shipbuilding and Maritime Industry
the framework of the Market Entry Program for SMEs. The target group primarily consists of small and medium-sized German companies.
Dates: 13–16 October 2026
Target region: Turkey, Istanbul
Organizer: German-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Türkiye)
Funding program: Market Entry Program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE)
Registration deadline: 29 May 2026 (or until all spots are filled)
Why Turkey?
Market
opportunities
Türkiye’s maritime sector is one of the country’s fastest-growing industries and an important international market. Shipbuilding focuses on yachts, tugboats, offshore vessels, and electric ferries. Türkiye is among the world’s top three yacht-building nations and a leader in environmentally friendly ships. In 2025, maritime exports reached around USD 1.8 billion. Supported by strong shipbuilding clusters in Istanbul, Yalova, and Izmir, as well as investment in green technologies, digitalisation, and port infrastructure, the market
offers attractive opportunities for German companies in the maritime sector.
* Shipyards and System Providers: German shipyards and system suppliers offering solutions for sustainable shipbuilding will find strong opportunities in Türkiye, particularly in the fields of low-emission propulsion systems, energy- efficient ship technologies, and modular construction methods.
* Technology and Engineering Providers: There is growing demand for digital control and monitoring systems, automation technologies, and engineering services that support the modernisation and decarbonisation of Turkish shipyards and fleets.
* Suppliers of Propulsion and Energy Solutions: German companies specialising in hybrid propulsion modules, electric and low-emission drive systems, and energy-efficient onboard technologies can benefit from Türkiye’s increasing focus on environmentally friendly vessels and its decarbonisation strategy through 2053.
* Maritime Equipment and Safety Providers: Turkish shipyards are increasingly seeking high-quality components and certified system solutions in areas such as ship safety, navigation, and automation. German technology providers are well positioned to address this demand.
* Offshore and Energy Technology Companies: Strong cooperation potential exists for suppliers and developers involved in offshore support vessels for wind and gas projects, as well as companies providing specialised maritime equipment for the offshore energy sector.
* Port and Logistics Technology Providers: Ongoing investments in port modernisation and intermodal transport infrastructure are creating demand for software, terminal management systems, digital logistics solutions, and rail-port connectivity technologies.
* Research, Training, and Classification Services: German expertise in maritime research, professional training, certification, and classification is highly valued in Türkiye. Strategic partnerships with universities, technology centres, and private shipyards offer additional opportunities for market entry and long-term cooperation.
Your benefits at a glance:
- Individual B2B meetings with pre-identified Turkish business partners and decision-makers
- Opportunity to present your products and cooperation offers at a presentation event in Istanbul
- Networking with representatives from industry, associations, and public institutions
- Visits to selected companies, institutions, and reference projects in the Turkish maritime sector
- Country briefing on the economic and political framework conditions in Türkiye
- Support in market entry and partner search through AHK Türkiye and DEinternational
- Insights into current developments and business opportunities in shipbuilding and the maritime industry in Türkiye
Which companies will I meet?
There is no fixed, pre- defined list that is the same for all participants. After your final confirmation of participation, we or our local partner will contact you by phone to conduct a preparatory kick-off meeting and discuss the program details as well as the B2B meetings. This conversation serves as an opportunity to get to know each other and to clarify your goals and expectations for the business trip, so that we can organize the B2B meetings in a more targeted and tailored way.
The more specific information we receive from you, the better we can adapt the program planning to your needs.
Costs:
The project is part of the Market Entry Program for SMEs and is subject to De Minimis regulations.
The participant contribution depends on the size of the company:
• €250 (net) for companies with an annual turnover of less than €2 million and fewer than 10 employees
• €850 (net) for companies with an annual turnover of less than €150 million and fewer than 750 employees
• €1,500 (net) for companies with an annual turnover of €150 million or more, or with 750 employees or more
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs must be covered by the participants themselves.
A maximum of 12 companies can participate.
Registrations will be considered in the order in which they are received, with priority given to SMEs over large enterprises.
Preliminary Program
13 October 2026
Individual arrival Country briefing on the economic and political framework conditions in Türkiye
Joint dinner
14 October 2026
Conference / presentation event.
Exchange and networking during and after the event
Visit to an institute or company
15 October 2026
B2B meetings (full day)
Free time for individual meetings
16 October 2026
Visit to an institute or company
Final discussions
Individual departure
