The University of Kyrenia with an increasing potential continues to contribute to international maritime sector which is the major backbone of international trade and a key factor driving the integration of the countries with the world.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of the university, the University of Kyrenia, which is the leading gear of maritime studies with its most equipped infrastructure, has produced thousands of qualified personnel executing duties in the prominent organizations of maritime sector and swaging flag in oceans so far. The maritime sector is a rapidly growing sector and this leads an increasing need for qualified personnel. The University of Kyrenia is increasing its potential in order to meet the need for qualified staff that emerged in the line with this rapid growth of maritime sector.

University of Kyrenia Board of Trustees Chairman Prof. Dr. Salihoğlu: The University of Kyrenia is increasing its potential to meet the increasing need of international maritime sector…

Delivering an explanation on the issue, Prof. Dr. Ilkay Salihoğlu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Kyrenia, stated that they had decided to open 5 new faculties along with the existing faculties of Aviation & Space Sciences and Maritime Studies, adding that preparations were ongoing. He also underlined that the current potential of the Faculty of Maritime Studies would be increased to respond the increasing need for qualified personnel in maritime sector. In his explanation, Professor Salihoğlu delivered some information on maritime transportation. “Since it is reliable and economical, maritime transportation has become the main backbone of the world trade. When costs and load capacities are considered, maritime transportation has significant advantages. It is 14 times cheaper compared to air transport, 7 times cheaper compared to road transport and 4 times cheaper compared to railway transport. According to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) data, world container-fleet capacity, which was about 13.5 million TEUs in 1980s, has increased incessantly and reached 178 million TEUs in 2015. In accordance with the growth of marine merchandise trade, new commercial ships come into service and this number is increasing day by day. Turkey has great potential in terms of intermodal transportation owing to its privileged geographical position. Approximately 90 % of export and import merchandise trade is transported by sea. Turkish merchant fleet has grown significantly due to increasing demand. The container-fleet capacity including import, export, cabotage and transit handled in Turkish ports is in an increasing trend. This capacity, which was 1.95 million TEUs in 2002, reached almost 10 million TEUs in 2014. There is also a significant increase in cargo capacity. The need for qualified mariners is increasing in accordance with all these developments and current possibilities fall short to respond the needs of this rapid growing sector. Taking over the maritime studies accumulation from its sister university NEU in 2013, the Faculty of Maritime Studies, which was founded with the vision of Günsel Family, has produced thousands of qualified mariners who are all employed in prominent organizations and institutions of maritime sector. The University of Kyrenia, which will move to its newly established campus in Kyrenia on July 20, 2015, will not only add a historical and economical value to Kyrenia but also it will increase its potential to respond the increasing need for qualified personnel in maritime sector in the line with the growing demand”.