“Sustainability” has become the watch word of TURSSA (Turkish Ship Suppliers Association),the representative organisation of the ship supply industry of Turkey. It was established on 4th July 2003. TURSSA, which has been in co-operation with ISSA and OCEAN for many years, is the bridge that links the national members with the international ship supply chain. Turkey’s geopolitical position, where the international shipping business remains busy, provides a great natural advantage to the Turkish Ship Supply Sector. The country’s strategic location and straits function, means it is right fully described as an important corridor. Bosphorus & Dardanelles are the only sea passages to the Black Sea thus they make Istanbul a critical maritime point. Because of this, TURSSA has an important responsibility not only in domestic but also in the international arena. Established in the year 2003 with a view to supporting its members, enabling fulfilment of global trade functions, registration of business organisation standards and reflecting the strong vision of being in alliance, TURSSA has developed an important mission since that time. It is justifiably proud to reach its 20th year. When they look at the past 20 years since TURSSA’s founding, its strength has improved by adding new members from year to year. It now has 36 members at present. TURSSA, with the leadership of Chairman Zihni Memisoglu, especially in the latest period through the pandemic period, fully supported its members and the whole sector. Now the question is: what about the next 20 years? We all know that world-wide there are huge changes in. As all we know, in all over the world, there is a huge change in business terms and conditions including within the ship supply sector. An example is the supply chain and the effect upon it of the Covid pandemic. In addition the world economic outlook is described as “uncertain” for the coming period, due not only to economic conditions but also geopolitical crisis. Both advanced and developing countries must have new strategies to ensure the opportunity is there for on-going competition.
TURSSA are committed to recognising and tackling the challenges. Back to the beginning and TURSSA recognises all these issues–in particular that of sustainability. This is true not just for individuals but also businesses. Sustainability is defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Mostly it is thought to be just related to the environment. TURSSA knows that social and economic dimensions are the other main principles of sustainability. The maritime sector has a significant impact on the ecosystem and TURSSA’s members recognise how important their activities are when it comes to having an on-going impact on sustainability. The Association subscribes to the 3R tenet: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. As such they aim to save natural resources, energy and money. They also know the importance of keeping natural materials, products and services in circulation for as long as possible. TURSSA encourages its members to achieve the International Organization for Standardisation’s (ISO)certifications about quality management system, environmental subjects, occupational health and safety management and others. They accept highly experienced firms to be members with some commercial criteria in order to bring competition with high quality in the sector. The Turkish ship supply sector, as a service bridge between suppliers and the shipping sector, tends to supply and advise using recyclable products, such as glass instead of plastic items. Waste management is another important headline for sustainability awareness. Also, they know the importance of eco friendly and recycled packaging preference in the ship supply sector which has a business structure where thousands of different products are purchased in small or big quantities from a wide variety of sources. In addition, social equality, social welfare, high percentage of female employment in the ship supply sector are other subjects TURSSA focuses its attention on. In its 20th year, TURSSA conducted sectorial survey among its members in order to determine collective steps about sustainability. TURSSA President Mr Zihni Memisoglu concluded: “Thank you for sharing our 20th anniversary excitement. “We wish to reach the next 20 years and anniversaries with and look to your partnership with us. “With our best regards to all in the Ship Supply Sector.
