Istanbul: The international stakeholders of the load engineering industry will converge at the LES-EXPO 2026 Europe-Asia-Africa Load Engineering Services Fair in Istanbul.

According to Anadolu Agency, the fair is scheduled to take place from April 7-9, 2026, as announced by the Load Engineering Association (YMB). The load engineering services sector, integral to Trkiye's industrial and infrastructure projects, has achieved an economic scale of $15 billion. Freight engineering, integral to megaprojects such as bridges and power plants, is represented in Trkiye by over 5,000 companies employing 150,000 people. Notably, four Turkish companies are ranked among the top 100 globally in the heavy lifting and transportation market, which surpasses $600 billion.

The load engineering sector, which combines lifting, transportation, and assembly of massive loads with engineering disciplines, has been pivotal in Trkiye's major projects, including Istanbul Airport and the 1915 Canakkale Bridge. These companies will now gain international attention at the LES-EXPO 2026.

YMB President Ahmet Altunkum highlighted the essential role of cargo engineering in Trkiye's development. He noted the precision and reliability of Turkish companies in handling sensitive loads as evidence of the country's engineering prowess. Altunkum also expressed pride in Trkiye's leadership in the field and its role on the global stage, as the fair will bring together hundreds of companies from three continents.

Altunkum further explained that the installation of a 155-ton component at 318 meters on the 1915 Canakkale Bridge marked the "world's heaviest lift to the highest point." This operation underscored the global influence of Trkiye's load engineering sector. Turkish companies are now favored for large and complex projects worldwide, having evolved into a high-value-added engineering discipline.

Ibrahim Burkay, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO) and KFA Fairs, emphasized the cargo engineering sector's critical role in regional mega projects.