Maritime and Cabotage Day: A Symbol of Turkish Seafaring Independence

Maritime and Cabotage Day, celebrated annually on July 1st, is a significant occasion symbolizing Turkey's full independence and sovereignty in the maritime domain. This special day marks the anniversary of the legal and economic independence gained in Turkish waters with the implementation of the Cabotage Law, which followed the Treaty of Lausanne.

Legal Foundations and Historical Background

Cabotage refers to a country's right to control maritime transport and all port services within its own territorial waters and between its own ports. During the Ottoman Empire, this right was restricted due to capitulations granted to foreign powers. However, with the Treaty of Lausanne, signed on July 24, 1923, the capitulations were abolished, and Turkey regained its full sovereignty over its seas. To operationalize this right, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey adopted the Cabotage Law on April 19, 1926, which came into force on July 1, 1926. With this law, services such as passenger and cargo transport, pilotage, and tugboat operations between Turkish ports were exclusively granted to Turkish-flagged vessels and Turkish citizens.

Ensuring Our Sovereignty at Sea

The enactment of the Cabotage Law enabled Turkey to determine its own destiny in the maritime sector, both economically and legally. This historic step laid the groundwork for the development of Turkish maritime trade, enhanced the importance of the seafaring profession, and established the legal basis for the concept of "Blue Homeland" (Mavi Vatan). For our country, surrounded by seas on three sides, sovereignty at sea is an indispensable component of national security and economic prosperity.

Today, on the 99th anniversary of Maritime and Cabotage Day, we commemorate with respect and gratitude Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the architect of our independence at sea, and all martyrs and veterans who have contributed to the maritime sector. We extend our congratulations to all seafarers and our nation on this meaningful day, with the wish that our sovereignty in the seas continues forever.