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15 Aug 2025 - THE LAWYER
THE LAWYER
At Global Ports Holding, legal strategy is not just about compliance—it’s about foresight, adaptability, and cultural understanding. Chief Legal Officer Dr. Ece Gürsoy recently shared her perspective with The Lawyer on what it means to lead a global legal function in one of the most dynamic industries in the world.
“From one day to the other – it’s always different. This morning I handled a Montenegrin employment contract, a London listing rules panel letter, and a Balearic Islands acquisition.”
This ability to pivot quickly across jurisdictions and legal frameworks reflects the regulatory agility required at GPH. With operations in over 33 cruise ports across 21 countries, Ece Gürsoy highlights that geopolitical risks and evolving compliance landscapes are constant realities her team must anticipate and address.
“Operating cruise ports across multiple jurisdictions presents several significant legal challenges that must be carefully navigated.
But beyond political risk, Ece Gürsoy highlights the layers of regulatory agility her legal team must maintain. Each jurisdiction has its own set of evolving laws and compliance requirements, which can change with little notice. Her team’s remit spans due diligence, regulatory strategy, M&A, and developing port-specific frameworks that are both bankable and bespoke.”
Beyond managing risk, Ece Gürsoy emphasizes the importance of integrating law with culture and heritage when entering new jurisdictions:
“The law is a nation’s heritage, so when you’re entering a new environment, you need to follow that heritage. You don’t bring something entirely new, but bring your nuances to ensure growth.”
This philosophy underpins GPH’s long-term partnerships with governments and communities, where concession agreements are built not only on financial viability but also on mutual respect and sustainability.
Crucially, Ece Gürsoy advocates for early and strategic legal involvement in business decisions:
“From legal, I get involved at the very beginning—before the deal is even cooked—to make sure we get it cooked in the right way.”
As 2025 presents unprecedented global uncertainty, Ece Gürsoy remains candid about the path forward:
“It’s hard to know what the safe bet is—or if there even is one anymore. My only wish now is that we won’t have something catastrophic happen in the sector.”
Her words remind us various areas of law including infrastructure law, risk management, and cultural sensitivity are not separate disciplines, but deeply interconnected elements of GPH’s approach to sustainable global growth.
15 Aug 2025
THE LAWYER
At Global Ports Holding, legal strategy is not just about compliance—it’s about foresight, adaptability, and cultural understanding. Chief Legal Officer Dr. Ece Gürsoy recently shared her perspective with The Lawyer on what it means to lead a global legal function in one of the most dynamic industries in the world.
“From one day to the other – it’s always different. This morning I handled a Montenegrin employment contract, a London listing rules panel letter, and a Balearic Islands acquisition.”
This ability to pivot quickly across jurisdictions and legal frameworks reflects the regulatory agility required at GPH. With operations in over 33 cruise ports across 21 countries, Ece Gürsoy highlights that geopolitical risks and evolving compliance landscapes are constant realities her team must anticipate and address.
“Operating cruise ports across multiple jurisdictions presents several significant legal challenges that must be carefully navigated.
But beyond political risk, Ece Gürsoy highlights the layers of regulatory agility her legal team must maintain. Each jurisdiction has its own set of evolving laws and compliance requirements, which can change with little notice. Her team’s remit spans due diligence, regulatory strategy, M&A, and developing port-specific frameworks that are both bankable and bespoke.”
Beyond managing risk, Ece Gürsoy emphasizes the importance of integrating law with culture and heritage when entering new jurisdictions:
“The law is a nation’s heritage, so when you’re entering a new environment, you need to follow that heritage. You don’t bring something entirely new, but bring your nuances to ensure growth.”
This philosophy underpins GPH’s long-term partnerships with governments and communities, where concession agreements are built not only on financial viability but also on mutual respect and sustainability.
Crucially, Ece Gürsoy advocates for early and strategic legal involvement in business decisions:
“From legal, I get involved at the very beginning—before the deal is even cooked—to make sure we get it cooked in the right way.”
As 2025 presents unprecedented global uncertainty, Ece Gürsoy remains candid about the path forward:
“It’s hard to know what the safe bet is—or if there even is one anymore. My only wish now is that we won’t have something catastrophic happen in the sector.”
Her words remind us various areas of law including infrastructure law, risk management, and cultural sensitivity are not separate disciplines, but deeply interconnected elements of GPH’s approach to sustainable global growth.
