The 98th anniversary of July 1 Maritime and Cabotage Day was celebrated with a ceremony in Bandırma District of Balıkesir.
The program organized by Bandırma Regional Port Authority started with the presentation of a wreath at the Atatürk Monument in Cumhuriyet Square. Then the protocol members sailed to the sea and laid a wreath in the sea in memory of the martyrs of the sea.
Mustafa Yalçın, Management Services Branch Manager from Bandırma Regional Port Authority, in his speech indicating the meaning and importance of the day, emphasized that the Maritime and Cabotage Day is one of the greatest values that the Great Leader Atatürk gifted to the Turkish nation. Yalçın said, “After our nation’s war of independence and freedom, our country entered the age of enlightenment with the Republic. In this process, efforts were made to utilize our wealth by the people of our country. The Cabotage Law, which entered into force on July 1, 1926, is one of these steps. Adopted on April 19, 1926, the “Law on Navigation and Navigation on the Turkish coast and the Law on the Execution of Art and Commerce within the ports and territorial waters” allowed ships flying the Turkish flag to transport between Turkish ports and piers, and also left services such as fishing, port management and salvage to Turkish citizens. The cabotage right gained under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gave Turkish shipping a national identity and marked a turning point in Turkish Maritime Trade. The seas are one of the sources of communication, culture, economy, trade and the spread of science. Therefore, in order to protect our national interests and leave a legacy to the world, we must determine an appropriate strategy for maritime. We have to emphasize the importance of maritime and create this awareness. On this occasion, I respectfully commemorate all our greats and martyrs who left their mark in the field of maritime in our Turkish history. Happy July 1 Maritime and Cabotage Day with the wish that the Turkish flag will always fly on the seas.”
Bandırma District Governor Engin Aksakal, Deputy Garrison Commander Air Transport Colonel Alihaddin Özdemir, Bandırma Port President Kürşat Ayıldız and some department managers attended the ceremony. After the presentation of the wreaths to the Atatürk Monument, a moment of silence was observed in memory of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the martyrs of the sea.
During the celebrations, coast guard teams and protocol members sailed to the sea and laid wreaths in the sea in memory of the martyrs of the sea.
Within the framework of the events organized by the Port Authority, a donut donation will be held and fish bread will be served in the fish market.
