YAF Group, one of Türkiye's leading companies in the maritime sector, stands out with its extensive service network and versatile operations in the global market. Through offices and warehouses in China, Korea, Germany, and Dubai, it offers end-to-end solutions ranging from ship procurement and engineering to maintenance and repair services, brokerage and ship management. YAF Group Founder Yusuf Kanıcı discussed YAF Group's strategic international structuring, innovative approaches to logistics and supply chain management, and digitalization and automation applications. He explained YAF Group's sustainability efforts and future vision.

YAF Group stands out with the versatile solutions it offers to the maritime sector in Türkiye and internationally. Could you briefly describe YAF Group's vision, mission, and services?

I began my maritime career working on ships in the 2000s. I laid the foundations for an international presence by founding Taizhou Marine in China in 2008 and YAF Diesel in Türkiye in 2013. Today, as YAF Group, we operate in China, Korea, Germany, Dubai, and Türkiye.

We offer a wide range of services, from newbuilding brokerage and maintenance and repair services to equipment and spare parts supply and ship management. Our mission is to provide our customers not only with products but also with end-to-end solutions. Our vision is to pioneer sustainable and innovative solutions in the maritime sector as a trusted global brand headquartered in Türkiye.

How did YAF Group's global structure in strategic regions like Türkiye, China, and Korea come about? What were the turning points in this growth process?

In fact, the roots of this process date back to the global crisis of 2008. While working in China at the time, projects were canceled, prompting me to establish my own company. Thanks to the technical expertise and local language skills I gained in China, I began serving both Turkish and foreign shipowners.

In 2013, we opened our Türkiye office, a major step in supply and inventory management. Today, we are one of the marine spare parts companies with the largest inventory capacity in Türkiye. Our global offices allow us not only to represent but also to oversee every stage of the production process.

With over 25 years of industry experience, how do you assess Türkiye's position in ship spare parts supply?

Türkiye is a very advantageous country for maritime shipping, geographically; however, I believe the sector has not reached its full potential. Bureaucratic difficulties, particularly in transit customs clearance and logistics, increase costs. While the "Ship Spare Parts Transit" status in Europe makes processing much easier, we still struggle with two-day procedures. This reduces our international competitiveness. Our expectation from our government is to expedite ship procurement processes and to treat this area as a strategic priority.

'We believe in the principle of "on-site inspection" and closely monitor the production stages of every product we supply.'

What is the role of your warehouses and offices in China and Korea in optimizing your international supply chain and cost-effectiveness? How does the operation of these centers as transit points impact your strategy of reducing freight and customs costs, as well as your on-site inspection practices for product quality and reliability?

Our overseas warehouses primarily function as transit centers. We can consolidate parts destined for other countries from China, Korea, Germany, or Dubai at these warehouses and ship them in bulk. This system provides significant advantages in both freight and customs costs. Furthermore, we always believe in the principle of "on-site inspection"; we closely monitor the production stages of every product we supply. This distinguishes us in terms of both quality control and reliability. For example, as with the BSKY filterless BWTS system, we personally inspect technical details on-site when selecting from over 30 manufacturers.

"Thanks to our Type C warehouse in Tuzla and our local warehouses, we have a very strong logistics infrastructure in Türkiye."

Operational efficiency and cost optimization are critical to achieving competitive advantage in the maritime industry. What role do our Type C warehouse and maintenance workshop in Tuzla play in this context, with the advantages they provide in high-volume purchases, customs process management, and technical interventions?

Thanks to our Type C warehouse and local warehouses in Tuzla, we have a very strong logistics infrastructure in Türkiye. While our competitors purchase as little as one ship, we purchase 100 ships, creating a significant price advantage.

Furthermore, we can store products in our warehouse free of charge until customs clearance is completed. Our workshop, staffed by over 50 expert technicians, provides rapid solutions both domestically and internationally, both after assembly and in the event of malfunctions.

Providing multifaceted services in the maritime industry provides a critical advantage in supply chain management and operational decision-making. How do YAF Group's activities in engineering, brokerage, and ship management enhance the added value it provides to the industry and its operational flexibility?

Yes, we are a "multifaceted service group." Through YAF Engineering, we provide repair and maintenance services for electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and alarm systems. Under our Milestone International brand, we provide newbuilding brokerage, supervision, and consultancy in China, managing the entire process from design to delivery.

We also operate four dry bulk carriers under the umbrella of Orca and Milestone. This structure allows us to view the industry from a multifaceted perspective, from both a supplier and an operator perspective.

The Turkish shipbuilding and operating sector increases its operational efficiency by working with reliable suppliers and service providers. To what extent do Turkish shipyards and ship operators benefit from YAF Group's services?

We actively work with many shipowners in Türkiye and on the China-Korea route. However, I find our collaboration with shipyards insufficient. In fact, we can offer shipyards high-quality equipment at very competitive prices. I believe we can be a reliable supplier to shipyards in the current economic climate.

"Energy efficiency and green transformation are among our top priorities."

Sustainability is a major topic on the global agenda. What sustainability efforts is YAF Group carrying out in line with its energy saving and carbon neutrality goals?

Energy efficiency and green transformation are our top priorities. We are working on solid-state battery technologies; these batteries are lighter, safer, and faster-charging. Furthermore, with newly designed propellers, we are achieving fuel savings of up to 15-20%.

We are also conducting R&D on WAP (Wind Assisted Propulsion) or sail rotor technologies. Our goal is to bring environmentally friendly solutions that reduce carbon emissions to our industry in an affordable way.

 Digitalization and automation are critical to operational efficiency and system integration in the maritime industry.  What kind of work is YAF Group doing in the field of digitalization and automation?

With our CRM systems, we digitally record all of our customers' requests. This system ensures both transparent processes and accurate inventory management. On the automation front, we represent global brands such as SIBO, Automaskin, and JRCS in Türkiye. This allows us to offer integrated solutions for ship control systems, alarm panels, and CPP control units.

As we leave 2025 behind, what are your plans and goals for the future? Where do you want to position YAF Group in the coming period?

Our short-term goal is to transition to a strong domestic production structure that produces in Türkiye and reduces external dependency. In the medium term, we want to strengthen our technical infrastructure in China, Korea, and Europe and transform YAF Group into a global engineering and manufacturing brand.

Being not just a parts supplier but also a driver of transformation is the foundation of our vision.

Finally, do you have a message for young professionals in the industry?

The boundaries of your dreams are not determined by geography, but by your courage. Discipline, diligence, and honesty will always carry you forward. My story is a clear example of this. My advice to young sailors is to learn to think internationally, develop intercultural communication skills, and focus on their goals without losing their passion.