Binali Yildirim was born in Erzincan in 1955. He has a Master’s Degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from the Istanbul Technical University. In 1991 he graduated from WMU with a Master of Science degree in Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection. From 1994 to 2000 Mr Yildirim was the General Manager of Istanbul Fast Ferries Co. Inc. (IDO). During this time he materialized important projects to canalize people to sea transportation and thus help ease traffic problems in Ankara. He was honoured to the ‘Skal’ Quality Award for his contribution to sea transport and tourism in 1999. Currently, he is the Minister of Transport of Turkey and a Member of Parliament for Istanbul of the ruling AKP.