WHAT IS ICOMIA?
The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) is a non-profit membership organization that brings together a wide range of national marine industry associations under one global entity, representing the sector as a strong and united voice at the international level while addressing issues that challenge the industry.
Since 1966, ICOMIA has been an active advocate for the global marine industry, working with authorities, regulatory bodies, and relevant organizations to facilitate and promote the growth of the recreational marine sector worldwide. Its focus lies in developing policies and guidance to ensure the promotion, protection, and expansion of the industry.
Membership in ICOMIA provides national associations with the ability to discuss, evaluate, and review all industry-related matters. These may range from regulatory updates to new products and services, from research and innovation to conferences, committees, and networking opportunities.
WHAT IS MARINAS?
In order to make our industry’s voice heard on the international platform and to provide new business opportunities for our members, our Association became a full member of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) in 2004, representing Turkey.
With our active participation in ICOMIA’s work, our former Chairman of the Board, Mr. Yavuz SİPAHİ, served as a member of the ICOMIA Executive Committee between 2010-2012 and as Vice President between 2013-2014. Our former Chairman of the Board, Mr. Alpaslan SİRKECİOĞLU, was elected as a member of the ICOMIA Executive Committee for a five-year term during the ICOMIA General Assembly held on June 8, 2018.
The ICOMIA 2014 Congress and the 2014 World Marinas Conference were hosted by our Association in Istanbul with the participation of 33 countries. Through the involvement and contributions of our Board Members in ICOMIA Committees on Marinas, Statistics, Technical, Exporters, Environment, and Boating Development, Turkey has made significant progress in gaining a voice within the international maritime community.
The publications ICOMIA Recreational Boating Industry Statistics and the ICOMIA Statistics Book, which provide access to international sectoral data, are shared annually with YATED members via mailing.
Most recently, Orhun Şentürk and Alpaslan SİRKECİOĞLU attended the ICOMIA Annual Congress held between May 20-24, 2024, where Mr. Orhun Şentürk delivered a presentation on Bosphorus Boat Show and YATED projects.
Serving as a member of the ICOMIA Board of Directors between 2018-2024, and Chairman of YATED between 2012-2023, Mr. Alpaslan SİRKECİOĞLU was re-elected as a Board Member at the ICOMIA General Assembly held on May 29, 2025, in Palma de Mallorca.
What is EBI?
European Boating Industry (EBI) represents the recreational boating and nautical tourism industry in Europe. EBI is composed of national associations representing the European recreational boating industry as well as various individual organizations as supporting members.
As an established stakeholder at EU level, EBI’s mission is to advance and represent a sustainable boating and nautical tourism industry. EBI works on a number of key strategic areas that are vital for the future of the boating sector, including the European Green Deal, the Recreational Craft Directive, Circular Economy/End-of-Life Boats, Tourism, VAT, Professional Qualifications, the Blue Economy, Access to Finance, Trade Policy, EU Water Legislation, and other related topics.
YATED and EBI
Murat Bekiroğlu and Uğur Aksan attended the EBI 2024 General Assembly.
During the meeting, Murat Bekiroğlu delivered a presentation on Bosphorus Boat Show and YATED projects.
As a result of this visit, YATED became a member of EBI and will henceforth represent our country in EBI as a civil society organization with a voice in defining production standards for marine vehicles within the EU.
EBI’s most recent General Assembly Meeting was held on 17 June in Hamburg, with YATED General Manager Kadir Karakaya attending on behalf of our association.