TÜRKIYE Trends and Developments Contributed by: Türker Yıldırım, Semih Sander, Gülistan Baltacı Hatay and Selçuk Sencer Esenyel, Esenyel|Partners Lawyers & Consultants
Application criteria Insurance companies seeking registration in the LYBS-PMIS must meet the following conditions: • collaborate with a correspondent firm in Türkiye with valid authority; • submit a letter of intent to the authorities, including full company details and a valid P&I policy; • provide financial reliability reports from recognised credit rating agencies; • offer an online portal on the website to verify the validity of P&I policies; • ensure that insurance coverage meets international standards, with a minimum coverage of USD100 million; and • provide financial and claims payment reports for the last three years. Türkiye’s maritime industry continues to constitute a substantial share of the country’s commercial activ - ity, owing to its strategic geopolitical position and its high-capacity ports. Naturally, the legal framework governing maritime commerce evolves in parallel with this economic dynamism. The developments outlined above represent only part of a broader transformation, as Turkish maritime law increasingly seeks alignment with international standards while responding to the practical needs of the sector. In the coming years, both regulatory reforms and judicial interpretations are expected to continue shaping a more coherent and modern legal environment for maritime stakeholders.
the interpretation debate has been brought before the court by legal professionals. The debate has arisen from a divergence of legal opinions, and the precedent to be established will be of considerable importance for determining the principles applicable to ship-own - ers’ limitation of liability in future cases. Maritime Authority Updates the List of Recognised P&I Clubs General overview On 23 December 2024, the vessel Amnah capsized and sank at a Turkish port while carrying over 200 containers, posing significant environmental and navi - gational risks. Following the lack of response from the vessel’s P&I club, the Directorate held consultations and meetings to assess the incident, evaluate the risks to navigation and the environment, and determine the necessary measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. P&I insurance is mandatory for certain types of ves - sels in accordance with international standards, and it is required for all vessels with a gross tonnage of 300 or more that enter or exit Turkish maritime jurisdiction. Additionally, a valid P&I policy is required for vessels passing through the Turkish Straits. On 9 January 2025, the Directorate announced that all vessels covered by a valid policy from insurance companies listed in the annual update “List of Recog - nised P&I Insurers” meet this requirement. However, for vessels insured by companies not included in this list, the insurance company must register with the Port Management Information System (LYBS-PMIS) to ensure compliance with the passage conditions.
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