# Turkey international trade and maritime growth

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-international-trade-and-maritime-growth
> Updated: 2026-10-07T13:00:32.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Turkey is experiencing growth in its international trade relations and maritime capabilities. Business leaders from Turkey and Italy have established a joint goal to increase their bilateral trade volume from approximately 30 billion euros to 40 billion euros by 2030. This economic relationship is supported by significant tourism, with Italian visitors to Turkey increasing by 13 percent last year.

On a broader scale, Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat reported that trade between Turkey and the European Union has grown from $21 billion in 1996 to $233 billion. Additionally, the Turkish-owned maritime merchant fleet has reached a historic peak, totaling 2,262 vessels with a capacity of 54.3 million deadweight tons as of July 2026.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-07: Turkey reports significant growth in EU trade and maritime fleet capacity

Turkey's trade with the EU has grown 11-fold in 30 years to $233 billion, while the nation's maritime merchant fleet has reached a record high of 2,262 ships and 54.3 million DWT capacity.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-reports-significant-growth-in-eu-trade-and-maritime-fleet-capacity

### 2026-09-29: Turkey and Italy target 40 billion euro trade volume by 2030

Turkey and Italy aim to increase their bilateral trade volume from 30 billion euros to 40 billion euros by 2030, according to officials at a business gala in Izmir.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-and-italy-target-40-billion-euro-trade-volume-by-2030

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Cite as: Turkey international trade and maritime growth. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-international-trade-and-maritime-growth