The first (kick-off) meeting of the “Blue Port Index for Black Sea Countries” project, coordinated by Bursa Technical University (BTU), was held on 08 December 2025 at BTU with the participation of the project partners.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Merve Kavakçı, First Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), BTU Rector Prof. Dr. Naci Çağlar, Yıldırım Mayor Oktay Yılmaz, the project partners Burgas Free University (Bulgaria) and the Tourism Institute (Georgia), as well as academics and students. In her speech at the opening meeting, Ambassador Kavakçı provided information about BSEC and noted that, within the scope of the Project Development Fund, initiatives in areas such as science, technology, environmental protection, energy, and agriculture are supported. Emphasizing that BSEC’s support for the “Blue Port Index for Black Sea Countries” project proposed by Bursa Technical University is significant for them, Kavakçı stated that this work will make an important contribution to Black Sea ports.

During the kick-off meeting, the project scope and work plan were reviewed, and the collaboration model among the partners was clarified. It was highlighted that BSEC supports activities in fields such as science, technology, environmental protection, energy, and agriculture through its Project Development Fund, and that the Blue Port Index approach will provide an important basis for sustainable transport, emission reductions, and the integration of environmental considerations into transport processes in the Black Sea region.

BTU Rector Prof. Dr. Naci Çağlar also stated that the project will contribute to BTU’s international visibility and establish a scientific foundation for more competitive and sustainable ports in the Black Sea.

The project is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Gökçe Çiçek Ceyhun, a faculty member of the Department of Maritime Business Administration at the Faculty of Maritime Studies, Bursa Technical University. The project team also includes Prof. Dr. Hilal Yıldırır Keser and Prof. Dr. Oğuz Başol from the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Dr. Faculty Member Oya Güler, Coordinator of the Project Support Office, and Lecturer Melis Ece Özyiğit from the Project Support Office.

Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Gökçe Çiçek Ceyhun expressed her strong enthusiasm for the project and stated: “We aim to develop a comparable and implementable assessment framework that can measure the sustainability performance of ports in the Black Sea basin through concrete indicators. By introducing a holistic approach through the Blue Port Index—one that addresses environmental responsibility together with digitalization and efficiency—we seek to contribute both to the competitiveness of ports and to regional cooperation. Together with our partners, we will work intensively to produce scientifically grounded outputs that will guide decision-makers and sector stakeholders.”

Prof. Dr. Milen Baltov, Rector of Burgas Free University, emphasized the value of cross-border cooperation in the Black Sea region and stated: “We are pleased to contribute to this initiative, which brings together academia and key stakeholders to support more sustainable and competitive ports. We believe the Blue Port Index will serve as a practical reference tool and encourage evidence-based decision-making across the region.”

Mamuka Berdzenishvili, Director of the Tourism Institute, highlighted the importance of creating shared standards and comparable indicators, noting: “This project is a timely step toward developing a common framework for sustainability assessment in Black Sea ports. By working together, we can strengthen regional coordination and generate outputs that are applicable for both policy and practice.