BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand is seeking to enhance its shipbuilding and fisheries industry through collaboration with Türkiye, aiming to develop Pattani as a regional maritime hub.
SBPAC Secretary General Wannapong Kotcharak, along with Apirat Sugondhabhirom, Thailand’s Ambassador to Türkiye, visited the Tuzla Industrial Zone in Istanbul to discuss shipbuilding opportunities with Murat Kiran, President of the Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association and NAVTEK, a leading shipbuilding company.
Turkish stakeholders recognized Pattani’s geographical advantages and its young workforce as potential assets for a modernized fisheries and shipbuilding industry, similar to Norway’s model, which has established itself as a global seafood supplier.
A key development from the discussions is the establishment of NAVANIRAN, a joint venture between NAVTEK and Thai private sector partners, aiming to invest in Pattani’s shipbuilding industry. The initiative plans to construct 5,000 commercial fishing vessels, positioning Pattani as a shipbuilding hub in ASEAN. A business proposal has already been submitted to Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), with expectations of significant local job creation. SBPAC also informed stakeholders about investment incentives, including tax reductions, waived fees, and access to low-interest loans (soft loans) to support the industry’s growth in Thailand’s southern border provinces.
As part of the visit, the SBPAC delegation toured Piri Reis University, Türkiye’s only maritime-focused university and a member of the International Association of Universities of the Sea (IAUM). The discussions centered on human resource development in shipbuilding and oceanic trade, aligning with Thailand’s vision of advancing its maritime sector.
This collaboration underscores Thailand’s commitment to leveraging international expertise to strengthen its shipbuilding, fisheries, and maritime industries, fostering economic growth in the southern region. (NNT)
