Yalova Ship and Yacht Exports Nearly Double to $777.7 Million in 2026

Yalova’s ship, yacht and services exports reached $777.704 million in the first nine months of 2026, up 96.5% from the same period a year earlier, according to Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) data. The increase outpaced the sector’s 34.7% growth across Turkey and put Yalova close to Istanbul in the provincial rankings.

The figures show how concentrated the country’s reported sector exports are in two provinces. Istanbul recorded $896.930 million, leaving a gap of $119.226 million between it and Yalova. Together, the two provinces accounted for about $1.67 billion, or roughly 84% of Turkey’s ship, yacht and services exports in January–September.

Yalova grows faster than the national total

Yalova’s exports rose from $395.753 million in January–September 2025 to $777.704 million in the corresponding period of 2026. The near doubling is a marked change in the province’s reported export value over one nine-month comparison. The figures establish the scale and pace of that change; they do not, by themselves, specify which vessel types, services or individual facilities contributed most.

Across Turkey, ship, yacht and services exports increased from $1.483 billion to $1.998 billion over the same periods. The national total was therefore close to $2 billion by the end of September. Yalova’s $777.704 million represented 39% of that total, maintaining the province’s second-place position behind Istanbul.

The other leading provinces were considerably lower in the reported ranking. Bursa recorded $99.155 million, İzmir $94.694 million and Kocaeli $81.985 million. This spread places the bulk of the recorded value in Istanbul and Yalova, while the next three provinces each contributed less than $100 million during the nine-month period.

Norway leads destination markets

Turkey’s sector exports went to 136 countries, autonomous regions and free zones between January and September. Norway was the largest named market, with exports reaching $372.014 million, up 41% from $264.589 million a year earlier.

The Marshall Islands ranked second. Exports there increased 202%, from $103.152 million to $311.171 million. France was another major destination: shipments rose 83% to $167.017 million. The United States recorded $151.047 million, a 27% increase, while exports to Malta climbed 118% to $136.444 million.

The destination figures show gains across several of the largest markets, with different growth rates and starting values. Norway remained the top market by reported value, while the Marshall Islands posted the sharpest percentage rise among the five destinations listed. The supplied data does not break out the goods or services behind those country totals, so it cannot show whether the growth reflects more vessel deliveries, higher-value projects or a shift in service activity.

Shipyard base underpins Yalova’s role

Yalova hosts numerous shipyards, particularly in Altınova, and is described as a production center for commercial shipbuilding, special-purpose vessels, maintenance and repair, and maritime equipment. That mix gives the province a role across vessel production and supporting work. The export data, however, is reported for the combined ship, yacht and services sector and does not provide separate totals for those activities.

For operators and suppliers, the immediate signal is the concentration of reported export value and the speed of Yalova’s rise. With Istanbul and Yalova representing about 84% of the national total, changes in activity in either province can materially affect the overall result. The next useful detail would be a breakdown by product and service category, alongside figures that show how much of Yalova’s increase came from shipbuilding, repair, yachts or equipment.

For now, the January–September comparison places Yalova among Turkey’s largest export centers for the sector and shows growth well above the national rate. Norway led the destination list, while the Marshall Islands, France, the United States and Malta also recorded substantial export values. Those provincial and market figures offer a clear view of where the reported value was concentrated, though they do not identify the projects or facilities behind it.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye