Minister Uraloğlu announces new regulations in transport: A new era for air travel

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that security controls at airports will be regulated, noting, "According to the draft bill, all passengers will be screened with devices at airport entrances. In cases where device screening is insufficient, manual searches will be conducted. Passengers who do not consent to a manual search of themselves or their belongings will not be accepted onto the aircraft."

In a written statement, Uraloğlu indicated that work on the bill containing regulations for the transport sector has reached its final stage in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).

Stating that the proposal, which AKP deputies are working on, also includes amendments to the Civil Aviation Law, Uraloğlu remarked, "According to the draft bill, all passengers will be screened with devices at airport entrances. In cases where device screening is insufficient, manual searches will be conducted. Passengers who do not consent to a manual search of themselves or their belongings will not be accepted onto the aircraft."

Uraloğlu announced that another regulation will allow private security personnel to search goods, luggage, and cargo under the supervision of general law enforcement, limited to aviation security.

TURKISH MERCHANT FLEET TO BE RENEWED

Pointing out that efforts to reduce ship-based emissions have gained momentum, as in all sectors, due to the effects of climate change experienced in recent years, Uraloğlu stated the following:

"In this context, one of the most important issues that will affect maritime transport in the coming period will be the European Union (EU) Emissions Trading System (ETS). With its latest decision, the EU will expand the ETS system to include transport emissions originating from the maritime sector. The EU ETS regulation will not collect 50 percent of the revenue generated from emissions produced on voyages between the European Economic Area and ports outside this area, leaving it to the discretion of the other country."

Uraloğlu also announced that they will establish an Emission Pricing System with a new regulation to be introduced as a result of efforts to reduce ship-based emissions.

Drawing attention to the fact that the Turkish-flagged and Turkish-owned merchant fleet must reduce its emissions rapidly to continue its operations and maintain its competitiveness, Uraloğlu continued his statement as follows:

"At this point, it is important that the revenues collected from international and regional carbon pricing practices are used efficiently by our country. Therefore, if an emission pricing system is established in our country, a determined amount of the revenue obtained from total produced emissions will be collected by our country based on the principle of reciprocity, and the revenue obtained from here will be used to renew or transform the Turkish merchant fleet. In this way, our competitive power in world maritime trade will be increased and maintained."

Uraloğlu stated that in addition to the regulation where carbon pricing revenues obtained from maritime transport will be foreseen as a special appropriation in the Ministry's budget, the collected amounts will be used to support research, development, transformation, and new shipbuilding activities for green shipping.

Stating that the procedures and principles regarding the use of special revenues and appropriations will be determined by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Uraloğlu said, "The types of ships to be covered by the application, the voyage region, tonnage, the rates of emission fees to be collected from ships, and the procedures and principles regarding the monitoring, reporting, and verification of emissions will be determined by a regulation to be issued."

Uraloğlu also noted that with the regulation, port entry and exit procedures, which are currently performed physically in accordance with the Law on the Protection of Life and Property at Sea, can also be carried out via digitally presented documents.

News Source: AA