Istanbul, 13 February 2026 – The SEA4SHORE National Conference was successfully held at Limak Eurasia Luxury Hotel, bringing together representatives from industry, academia, trade unions, and maritime professionals to examine how sea-going experience can translate into long-term career sustainability.
Organised within the framework of the EU-supported SEA4SHORE project, the event combined strategic presentations with a structured and moderated panel discussion designed to encourage experience-based dialogue.
Opening & SEA4SHORE Vision
The conference opened with remarks and framing by Mr. Uğurcan Acar, Founder & Managing Director of MARITIME INNOVATORS, who positioned the discussion around a central question:
How can maritime careers remain attractive while acknowledging their long-term evolution?
The presentation introduced SEA4SHORE’s research identifying more than 125 alternative shore-based career pathways across Europe and emphasised the importance of structured career visibility from the early stages of professional development.
Digital Tool Demonstration
A practical session led by Mr. Furkan Kaya, Software Developer at MARITIME INNOVATORS, introduced participants to the SEA4SHORE Digital Tool.
The demonstration showcased how sea-going competencies can be mapped into compatible shore-based roles, helping maritime professionals better understand transferable skills and potential career pathways. The session highlighted the role of digital solutions in strengthening awareness, planning, and informed decision-making.
Panel Session: Structured Dialogue on Industry Reality
The 90-minute panel session, moderated by Tugay Hocek, Oceangoing Chief Officer, was designed as an interactive, experience-driven discussion rather than a presentation format.
The session followed a clearly structured moderation framework, guiding panelists through thematic stages including:
- Expectations versus operational realities
- Systemic challenges affecting long-term sustainability
- Responsibility and alignment between education and industry
- Recognition of competencies beyond formal titles
- The impact of clearer long-term pathways on career attractiveness
Panelists represented three key perspectives:
Shipbuilding Industry
Attorney-at-Law & Mediator Sevda Zübeyde ÇETİN
Chair of the Human Resources Committee, GİSBİR – Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association
Seafarers’ Perspective
Capt. Tuncay Yeniay
City Lines Branch President, Turkish Seafarers’ Union
Research & Skills Development
Prof. Dr. Cüneyt EZGİ
Dean, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Piri Reis University
The structured moderation format encouraged concise, experience-based contributions and facilitated constructive interaction between panelists, allowing different institutional perspectives to be explored within a balanced framework.
The session concluded with audience questions, reinforcing the conference’s interactive character.
Strengthening Career Continuity
The conference closed with a shared understanding that increasing transparency around long-term options does not weaken maritime careers. On the contrary, structured clarity and institutional cooperation can enhance trust, retention, and professional sustainability.
Through research, digital tools, and cross-sector dialogue, SEA4SHORE continues to contribute to strengthening vocational education and supporting sustainable maritime workforce development across Europe.
