New Regulatory Regime for Ship Construction, Modification, and Maintenance in Turkey (2026)

The “Regulation on the Construction, Modification, and Maintenance-Repair of Ships and Watercraft” (the “Regulation”), prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, was published in the Official Gazette on January 14, 2026. This marks a transformative shift from the 2015 regime toward a more stringent, digitalized, and transparent oversight mechanism.

For stakeholders in the maritime industry, compliance is no longer optional but a digital prerequisite. Here is a technical breakdown of the fundamental changes:

Legal Validity of Digital Records: Turgut Reis GSVP

Under the previous practice, the Ship Industry Database Program (GSVP) functioned as a general data pool with limited legal sanctions.

• The New Era: The system has been upgraded to Turgut Reis GSVP. It is now the central digital platform for all construction and maintenance processes.
• Legal Precondition: No survey procedures or ship certification can be conducted for vessels not registered in the system. Digital registration is now a mandatory legal prerequisite for a vessel’s official recognition.

Expanded Supervision in Engineering Services

The new regime shifts engineering responsibility from a periodic check model to a Continuous Supervision framework.

• Mandatory Field Inspections: Engineers are now legally required to perform physical field inspections every 30 days.
• Reporting & Archiving: Detailed monitoring and evaluation reports must be issued, and all related documentation must be archived for 5 years.
• Accountability: The previous flexibility, where one engineer could simultaneously oversee up to five vessels with loose tracking, has been abolished.

Enhanced Role of Classification Societies

The Administration has expanded its oversight network, positioning Classification Societies (Class) more actively on the field.

• Authority: Class societies now operate with the status of “Authorized Inspectors” acting on behalf of the Administration.
• Broadened Scope: Strict audit requirements now extend to passenger ships, fishing vessels, and watercraft undergoing a change of category/type.

Deterrent Administrative Fines and Sanctions

The financial risk of non-compliance has increased significantly with the abandonment of the meter-based calculation method.

• Fixed High-Value Fines: Violations are now subject to fixed administrative fines ranging from 50,000 TL to 250,000 TL, depending on the nature of the breach.
• Financial Impact: These fines are designed to be punitive and deterrent rather than mere administrative fees.

Procedural and Financial Adjustments

• Evaluation Period: The review period for permit applications has been extended from 15 working days to 25 calendar days.
• Service Fees: Unlike previous free applications, a service fee is now mandatory for every application, linking the administrative process to a financial obligation.

Transition Roadmap: The 2028 Deadline

While previous regulation changes often allowed projects to be completed under vested rights (original rules), the new Regulation takes a different approach.

• Limited Transition: A transition period is granted until 2028 to allow for technical and financial adaptation.
• Note of Caution: This is not an exemption but a deferral of enforcement. All current projects and engineering service contracts should be harmonized with the new Regulation immediately to avoid operational shutdowns.

Legal Compliance: To avoid administrative fines and work stoppages, we recommend a thorough audit of your current projects and technical service agreements.
Esenyel | Partners Lawyers & Consultants