Digital transformation in the maritime industry is no longer a choice; it's a necessity. As a leading actor in this transformation, Caretta ERP not only offers software solutions; it also stands out as a strategic business partner for shipowners, managers, and crews. We spoke with Emrah Aşkın, Partner of Caretta ERP Turkey, about the journey, vision, and future goals of Caretta ERP, which originated in Türkiye and expanded into the global market. “Caretta ERP has gone beyond being just software and has become a solution that keeps its finger on the pulse of maritime industry, fueled by real needs,” said Emrah Aşkın.

Caretta ERP offers end-to-end software solutions designed to enable ship owners and managers to have full control of their vessels from anywhere in the world, at any time. We'd like to begin our interview by talking about the founding story of Caretta ERP. Could you share your founding story and how your first customer experiences shaped this journey for our readers?

The foundations of Caretta ERP were laid by the daily needs we personally experienced in the maritime industry. What we initially had was only a small part of today's ERP. Our goal on this journey, which we embarked on in 2004, was to develop a system that not only monitors ship operations but also guides, streamlines, and provides operators with options during decision-making processes. Working with our first customers, we carefully listened to their real-world field experiences, demands, and challenges. These experiences served as a guide. Thanks to their feedback, we continuously improved our system, and this development process continues unabated today. The maritime industry is a very dynamic industry, constantly evolving with new rules and requirements. To keep pace with this change, we continue to work with field data. We tested each module in practice and adapted it to real-world conditions. In this way, Caretta ERP has gone beyond being just software and has become a solution that takes the pulse of the maritime industry and feeds on real needs.
Today, we see our customers not just as users, but as companions. We continue to walk alongside them in this never-ending process of renewal.

"We see Caretta ERP not just as a software solution, but as a strategic business partner for ship owners and managers."

Caretta ERP has come a long way since its founding. How do you assess Caretta ERP's position today? How has Caretta ERP evolved since its founding? How would you describe where you stand today, both globally and in Türkiye?

Since our founding, Caretta ERP has been in a constant state of development and transformation. In the early years, we were structured to meet the basic needs of ship operations. However, with the maritime industry's embrace of technology and digitalization, expectations have rapidly changed. The ability for ships to be located anywhere in the world posed significant technological challenges at the time. Today, thanks to our evolving infrastructure, we can offer all solutions under a single ERP framework, from planned maintenance and procurement to operations and crew management, training, and inspection processes. We have also made this system more accessible with mobile applications.

We are proud to have earned the trust of many leading shipowners and operators in Türkiye. We have also rapidly gained recognition in the global market. With the offices we opened in Istanbul and Dubai, we have established teams that not only provide software but also provide regional support. In these offices, we employ experts from other countries, in addition to Turkish experts, to better respond to local needs. This is the most concrete demonstration of our continued commitment to becoming a global player.

We see Caretta ERP not merely as software, but as a strategic business partner for shipowners, managers, and engineers. Today, Caretta ERP has become an end-to-end platform for managing all the resources a shipowner or operator might need. The fact that reputable shipowners in Türkiye choose our system for their daily operations demonstrates that we are on the right track. Seeing the same trust from our international customers is both motivating and exciting. Caretta ERP has become a solution that keeps its finger on the pulse of the maritime industry, anticipates its needs, and is informed by real-world experience. Today, Caretta ERP is a brand known for its reliability, innovation, and user-focused approach both in Türkiye and around the world.

Operational efficiency is more critical than ever for ship owners and managers today. What solutions does Caretta ERP offer with its modular structure? Could you elaborate on the modules? How do these solutions benefit shipowners and crew in ship management?

Operational efficiency in shipping is a critical element for both cost control and safety. We designed Caretta ERP with this in mind, structuring our modular structure to create end-to-end value for ship owners, managers, and crew.
Our Planned Maintenance module reduces operational disruptions and unexpected costs by predicting equipment failures. This, in turn, increases ship safety and provides predictability in fleet management.
The Purchasing module offers cost control, transparency, and time savings by managing the supply chain from a single center.

Our Crew Management module covers all processes from recruitment to certification tracking; it not only assigns the right person to the right ship but also strengthens motivation and compliance.
The Operations and Training/Drill modules ensure more efficient daily operations and prepare personnel for various scenarios.

All these modules work integrated: reporting a malfunction during planned maintenance is automatically reflected in the purchasing process, and training records are automatically reflected in operational planning. Thus, Caretta ERP simplifies the work of shipowners and crew by managing the entire process within a single ecosystem, rather than through standalone tools.

With its modular and integrated structure, Caretta ERP offers strategic decision support for ship owners and a solution that simplifies daily operations for crews. This increases efficiency while reducing the risk of errors and costs.

In short, with its modular and integrated structure, Caretta ERP offers strategic decision support for ship owners and a solution that simplifies daily operations for crews. This increases efficiency while reducing the risk of errors and costs.

"The biggest difference with Caretta ERP is that it was developed by a team from the maritime industry."

As a team from the maritime industry, the solutions you develop make a difference. What are the key features that distinguish Caretta ERP from its competitors? What features stand out in terms of user-friendly design and operational efficiency?

Caretta ERP's biggest difference is that it was developed by a team with roots in the maritime industry. This means we don't just develop software; we also deeply understand field needs. This has made Caretta ERP a practical and functional solution tailored to real-world conditions. One of the aspects that distinguishes us from our competitors is our fully modular and integrated architecture. Users can select only the modules they need and expand their systems over time, while we can also adapt the software to each shipowner's unique operating system. Our user-friendly design is also among our greatest strengths. Shipboard crews and office staff can easily use the system with minimal training. Mobile access automates ship-office integration in real time, increasing efficiency and reducing errors.
In short, Caretta ERP distinguishes itself from its competitors with its field experience, customizable structure, user-friendly design, and integration capabilities. This makes it more than just software; it's a strategic solution partner for shipowners.

"Our vision is to make Caretta ERP the first choice of shipowners not only in Türkiye but also in various regions around the world."

Caretta ERP aims to translate its regional success into global growth. What are your goals and vision for both national and international markets in the coming period?

As Caretta ERP, we aim to carry our success in Türkiye to international markets. Maritime is a global industry, and we have developed our product according to international standards since day one. Our vision is to make Caretta ERP the top choice for shipowners not only in Türkiye but also in various regions around the world.
To this end, we have opened offices in İstanbuland Dubai and are now actively operating. Our greatest advantage here is the flexible and customizable structure of our system. While the maritime industry appears to be moving towards a single standard, the operational needs of each country and company can vary. We offer a structure that can quickly adapt to these differences.
In this context, we participated in the North Ship and Rotterdam trade fairs this year. In 2026, we will participate in the Posidonia and Hamburg SMM trade fairs, where we will also be present through our sponsorships.
In this context, we plan to grow particularly in the European, Middle Eastern, and Asian markets. Our greatest advantage is our flexibility and customizability, enabling us to quickly adapt to the operational needs of different countries and companies.
On a national scale, our goal is to lead the digital transformation of maritime companies in Türkiye. We leverage the knowledge and success stories we've gained here as a strong reference in international markets. Ultimately, our vision is to make Caretta ERP a globally recognized, trusted brand, and a pioneer in digitalization. We will achieve this in close collaboration with our customers, providing solutions tailored to their needs.

"Caretta ERP eliminates manual errors and minimizes human-related risks by combining all operational processes on a single platform."

With regulations, cost pressures, and competitive conditions, digitalization in the maritime sector, as in every field, seems inevitable. How do you evaluate the digital transformation process at Caretta ERP? What are the advantages of digitalization in terms of cost, time, and performance?

You're right; this transformation actually began with the first tankers. The strictest regulations were first implemented in that area, and the process gradually spread to all ships. Today, no ship can be managed without digital software or a platform. This applies to everyone, from the smallest to the largest shipowners, regardless of the ship's tonnage. Companies that fail to complete their digital transformation fall behind and begin to face serious problems. As Caretta ERP, we aim to be at the forefront of this transformation.

Today, we can conduct inspections from mobile phones and record our notes verbally instead of typing them. The biggest advantage of this is time and cost control. Caretta ERP combines all operational processes on a single platform, eliminating manual errors and minimizing human-related risks. For example, the data flow between the ship and the office is now automated. Information entered on board is instantly visible. This accelerates decision-making processes, enables real-time correction of potential errors, and allows managers to take much faster action.
From a performance perspective, digitalization not only ensures operational efficiency but also the effective use of human resources. The digitalization of processes such as crew management, training, and certification tracking both eases the burden on personnel and ensures regulatory compliance. 

As Caretta ERP, we see digital transformation not just as a technology investment, but as a strategic necessity for a sustainable and competitive business model.

In short, digitalization is not a choice for maritime companies in today's competitive environment; it's a necessity. As Caretta ERP, we continue to be a strategic solution partner to help our customers achieve this transformation in the most efficient, safe, and rapid way.

The maritime industry can no longer be considered independent of digitalization due to increasing regulations, cost pressures, and global competition. At Caretta ERP, we see digital transformation not just as a technology investment, but as a strategic necessity for a sustainable and competitive business model.

The biggest advantage of digitalization is cost control. With Caretta ERP, all operational processes are consolidated on a single platform, eliminating unnecessary duplication, manual errors, and lost time. Our planned maintenance and purchasing modules, in particular, provide predictability, minimizing unexpected failures and expenses. In time management, automating the ship-office data flow accelerates decision-making processes. Real-time information enables managers to take fast and accurate action.

 Caretta ERP is a solution that not only records data but also facilitates decision-making processes and secures operations.

You say that when shipowners choose Caretta ERP, they get not just software but also a reliable companion. Could you elaborate on this? Your slogan, "Complete Command of Your Ship," actually carries an important message. What values and what trust does this vision offer shipowners?

Because we're not a company that serves just one type of ship. The ship types we currently serve include dry cargo ships, cruise ships, tankers, and even warships. Every shipowner and operator has different expectations, and we must adapt to these differences. This is one of our key differentiators. Regulations in the maritime industry are constantly changing. Rules can apply for one type of ship, and completely different rules for another. Risks are also affected by this variability. This is precisely where Caretta ERP comes into play.

For us, Caretta ERP is not just software; it's a reliable business partner accompanying shipowners on their journeys. Conditions in the maritime industry are rapidly changing, and there's a lot of uncertainty, from regulations to operational risks. This is where we come in: Caretta ERP is a solution that not only records data but also facilitates decision-making processes and secures operations.

Our slogan, "Complete Command of Your Ship," reflects this: We provide shipowners with comprehensive control over every aspect of their ships and operations. Our integrated modules combine maintenance, procurement, operations, and crewing processes into a single ecosystem, delivering both efficiency and peace of mind. Customizing the system to meet our customers' needs demonstrates that we truly add value to their processes. This ensures that each shipowner uses the solution best suited to their operating model. This approach lays the foundation for long-term collaboration and trust. In short, Caretta ERP offers shipowners not only software but also transparency, insight, security, and strategic partnerships. 

"Brands that use Caretta ERP secure their data at the highest levels, both legally and technologically."

Privacy policies are critical in the maritime industry, as in every aspect of life today. Brands using your ERP product manage all their information by integrating it into your system. This is where privacy becomes paramount. How does Caretta ERP protect its users' data?

We start with the legal side before we delve into technology. We include confidentiality clauses in every contract, and we also sign a separate confidentiality agreement. Because, as you said, while some data isn't critical, some is extremely sensitive. Especially in commercial processes, all transactions are conducted through our system. For example, offers are prepared, voyage plans are made, and TC rates and expenses can be viewed. Furthermore, financial information is also managed through the system. Therefore, privacy is a paramount concern here.

Each user has their own unique password, and we never know these passwords. Data is hosted on Microsoft Azure, a platform that meets the highest standards for data security and database security. Furthermore, all data is end-to-end encrypted. Each company has its own unique encryption key. We do not retain these keys. This means that even if someone were to access the database, they would not be able to see the numbers, financial information, or private data within. In addition, we meet international security standards. We hold an ISO 27001 information security certification. This ensures that the data of brands using Caretta ERP is protected at the highest level, both legally and technologically.