Research Article

Navigating growth in tramp shipping: The role of resources and dynamic capabilities in Turkish shipowning firms

Volume: 15 Number: 3 September 30, 2026

Navigating growth in tramp shipping: The role of resources and dynamic capabilities in Turkish shipowning firms

Abstract

The tramp shipping sector, a vital component of global maritime trade, operates in a highly competitive and volatile environment. This study investigates the growth strategies employed by Turkish tramp shipping companies through the integrated Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities (DC) perspectives. Despite the strategic importance of the sector, empirical research integrating these theoretical perspectives remains limited, particularly within the Turkish context. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with managers from ten Turkish tramp shipping firms and analyzed using MAXQDA 2020. The findings indicate that fleet expansion, strategic alliances, and operational efficiency constitute the primary growth strategies adopted by the firms. Sustainable growth depends not only on valuable firm resources but also on the ability to sense market opportunities, seize them effectively, and continuously reconfigure resources in response to changing market conditions. The study also identifies financing constraints and increasing regulatory pressures as major barriers to growth. These findings contribute to the strategic management and maritime management literature by providing an integrated explanation of sustainable growth in tramp shipping while offering practical implications for industry managers.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were conducted in accordance with ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and confidentiality and anonymity were ensured.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Maritime Business Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

September 10, 2026

Publication Date

September 30, 2026

Submission Date

April 29, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 11, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 3

APA
Akman Durgut, İ., & Denktaş Şakar, G. (2026). Navigating growth in tramp shipping: The role of resources and dynamic capabilities in Turkish shipowning firms. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, 15(3), 287-307. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1940404
AMA
1.Akman Durgut İ, Denktaş Şakar G. Navigating growth in tramp shipping: The role of resources and dynamic capabilities in Turkish shipowning firms. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2026;15(3):287-307. doi:10.33714/masteb.1940404
Chicago
Akman Durgut, İpek, and Gül Denktaş Şakar. 2026. “Navigating Growth in Tramp Shipping: The Role of Resources and Dynamic Capabilities in Turkish Shipowning Firms”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 15 (3): 287-307. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1940404.
EndNote
Akman Durgut İ, Denktaş Şakar G (September 1, 2026) Navigating growth in tramp shipping: The role of resources and dynamic capabilities in Turkish shipowning firms. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 15 3 287–307.
IEEE
[1]İ. Akman Durgut and G. Denktaş Şakar, “Navigating growth in tramp shipping: The role of resources and dynamic capabilities in Turkish shipowning firms”, Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull., vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 287–307, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.33714/masteb.1940404.
ISNAD
Akman Durgut, İpek - Denktaş Şakar, Gül. “Navigating Growth in Tramp Shipping: The Role of Resources and Dynamic Capabilities in Turkish Shipowning Firms”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 15/3 (September 1, 2026): 287-307. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1940404.
JAMA
1.Akman Durgut İ, Denktaş Şakar G. Navigating growth in tramp shipping: The role of resources and dynamic capabilities in Turkish shipowning firms. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2026;15:287–307.
MLA
Akman Durgut, İpek, and Gül Denktaş Şakar. “Navigating Growth in Tramp Shipping: The Role of Resources and Dynamic Capabilities in Turkish Shipowning Firms”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 287-0, doi:10.33714/masteb.1940404.
Vancouver
1.İpek Akman Durgut, Gül Denktaş Şakar. Navigating growth in tramp shipping: The role of resources and dynamic capabilities in Turkish shipowning firms. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2026 Sep. 1;15(3):287-30. doi:10.33714/masteb.1940404

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