Kocaeli-2 towing services enter a new era with a 20-year contract signed with San Tugboat Services on July 14, 2026.
Kocaeli-2 Tugboat Operations Entering a New 20-Year Era: Contract Signed with San Tugboat Services
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs signed a contract with San Tugboat Services Inc. on July 14, following the Kocaeli-2 Regional Service Area tugboat tender held on May 6, 2026. According to the results reflected in the industry press, the Uzmar-Sanmar joint venture won the operating rights with a public share offer of 75.5%. This new era brings a public service responsibility that encompasses not only commercial vessel maneuvers but also search and rescue, fire, marine pollution, and emergency response tasks, available 24/7.
ANKARA / KOCAELİ
An important process regarding the operation of tugboat services in the İzmit Gulf, one of Turkey's most industrialized and port regions, has been completed.
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs announced that the contract with San Tugboat Services Inc., the winner of the Kocaeli-2 tugboat tender held on May 6, 2026, was signed on July 14, 2026. Thus, the transition to a new operating period for tugboat services in the Kocaeli-2 Regional Service Area has gained a legal basis.
Industry publications reported that the signing ceremony held in Ankara was attended by the General Director of Maritime Affairs, Ünal Baylan, and Cem Seven, Chairman of the Board of San Tugboat Services, and that the company has commenced its duties in the region. However, the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs did not disclose the actual service start time, transition protocol, or the names of the tugboats assigned to the area in its public announcement.
Operating rights will be transferred for a period of 20 years
According to the tender announcement from the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, the operating rights for the tugboat services to be provided in the Kocaeli-2 Regional Service Area will be transferred for a period of 20 years.
The tender was conducted through a negotiation method within the framework of Law No. 4046 on Privatization Practices and concluded with an open auction. The starting public share rate for the auction was set at 30%.
The sale price of the tender documents was announced as 100,000 lira, and the temporary guarantee amount was stated as 21,115,000 lira. Application files were required to be submitted by May 4, 2026, at 15:00; the application documents were opened by the Tender Commission on May 6.
The tender concluded with a 75.5% public share
According to industry news published on the day of the tender, the Kocaeli-2 tugboat operating rights tender was won by a joint venture formed by Uzmar Tugboat and Sanmar Maritime.
The joint venture's offer of a 75.5% public share in the auction exceeded the starting rate of 30% by 45.5 points. Thus, the proposed public share became the most striking economic headline of the tender process.
The 75.5% figure here does not refer to the company's capital share, a one-time sale price, or a cash payment.
According to the Regulation on Pilotage and Tugboat Services, 'share' means the rate to be paid to the public from gross revenue obtained from services such as tugging, mooring, escorting, shifting, trial sailing, anchoring, and waiting. The share determined as a result of the tender must be deposited into the relevant revolving fund account of the Ministry by the 15th of the month following the month in which the service is provided.
For this reason, it is also incorrect to interpret the 75.5% rate as '75.5% of the company's profit.' The share is calculated based on gross revenue, not net profit. The remaining economic area will need to cover personnel, fuel, maintenance, repair, insurance, depreciation, financing, and other operating expenses.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
