Business · Companies · 5 hrs ago
Turkish heavy-lifting sector seeks clearer rules and investment support
The Turkish Load Engineering Association says heavy-lifting work is shrinking amid global uncertainty, geopolitical risks, high financing costs and delayed investment.
Its chair, Ahmet Altunkum, said capacity use at some businesses has fallen below 40%.
Turkish companies lift, move and position oversized loads for projects in more than 20 sectors, including energy, construction, mining and defence.
The association says Turkey risks losing skilled workers, equipment and engineering capacity if companies contract or close.
It wants the government to recognise load engineering as a distinct technical field and create a national crane inventory, which could also help identify equipment for emergencies.
The group is also seeking more predictable rules for crane imports and registration, as well as permits and road charges for oversized transport.
Offshore wind and other major investments could bring new demand, including a first offshore wind tender planned for the first quarter of 2027 and a 5,000-megawatt capacity target for 2035.
The association wants Turkish firms’ engineering and transport services to receive suitable support as they compete in international markets.
Turkey’s heavy-lifting sector says its business has contracted amid global uncertainty, geopolitical risks, high financing costs and delayed investments.
Ahmet Altunkum, head of the Heavy Engineering Association, says some companies’ capacity use has fallen below 40%.
The association is seeking clearer recognition and regulation of heavy engineering, along with investment support and more predictable permit processes.
Altunkum says Turkish firms compete internationally and that losing companies would weaken the country’s strategic service capacity.
Offshore wind, energy, infrastructure, defence and mining projects could create new demand for the sector.
- Who
- Turkey’s heavy-lifting companies and the Heavy Engineering Association, led by Ahmet Altunkum.
- What
- The sector is seeking clearer rules, recognition as a specialist field and investment support amid a business downturn.
- When
- The report was published on 14 October 2026.
- Where
- Turkey, with the sector also competing in international projects.
- Why
- Global uncertainty, geopolitical risks, high financing costs and delayed investments have narrowed business activity; regulatory and permitting issues also constrain growth.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry plans to hold Turkey’s first offshore wind YEKA tender.
Turkey’s offshore wind capacity target is 5,000 megawatts.
- Capacity use
- Below 40% at some companies
- Association
- Heavy Engineering Association (YMB)
- Offshore wind tender
- First YEKA tender planned for the first quarter of 2027
- Offshore wind target
- 5,000 megawatts by 2035
- Sectors served
- More than 20 sectors
What people are saying
Turkey’s machinery fleet, engineering experience and qualified workforce in the field of heavy engineering services, which require strategic expertise, must be protected.
Heavy engineering is not merely a sub-activity of logistics.