Shipping volumes from Turkey to Israel have decreased by 30% after Ankara's choice to restrict exports to Israel.
⠀
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan declared sanctions against Israel regarding its actions in the Gaza Strip. The sanctions will stay until Tel Aviv guarantees the delivery of aid and announces a ceasefire. The Turkish Ministry of Trade listed 54 groups of goods that will have limited exports including aviation fuel, motor and mineral oils, cement, and various machine tools. The Turkish presidential administration later stated that Turkey was not supplying fuel for Israeli military aircraft, but rather for civil aviation.
⠀
“After the Ministry of Commerce restricted the export of certain products to Israel, maritime transport to that country decreased by 30%. Although shipowners state that they categorically do not accept prohibited products, there are also allegations that prohibited products are being shipped through third countries,” local media reported.
⠀
The Turkish Ministry of Commerce's restriction decision, following a public debate about exports to Israel due to its attacks on Gaza, had immediate effects in the logistics sector.
Basaran Bayrak, deputy chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), stated that exporters have ceased shipping banned products to Israel and are unable to open customs declarations for these products under the HS code.
⠀
Mahmut Isik, CEO of Medkon, one of Turkey's top shipping companies, said that the Turkish Trade Ministry's decision to limit trade with Israel greatly affected shipping volumes.
⠀
“Since April 9, when restrictions began, the volume of business in the field of maritime transport from Turkey to Israel has decreased by 30%,” Isik said.
⠀
In total, Turkey provided $5.2 billion worth of goods to Israel last year. About a third of this amount came from iron and steel, land transportation, and plastic and plastic products.
⠀
The restricted products account for 13% of Turkish exports to Israel, which is over $709 million. Nearly a quarter of this amount is from cement supplies.
