Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), a maritime services provider, has acquired the Turkish cruise agency specialist Merkez Deniz Acenteligi ve Ticaret A.S (Merkez). Merkez is one of the most established agency houses in the Turkish shipping community and it is today a market-leading cruise sector specialist with offices in the major cruise ports of Istanbul and Kusadasi. ISS already has a strong existing presence in Turkey and this acquisition will assist the further development and growth of its business at an exciting period of development in this country. Turkey continues to attract more passengers year on year as the government actively promotes the country as a cruise destination. With new cruise terminals and airport expansion planned, these numbers are expected to continue to grow.