The Ministry of Transport announces a 20-year tender for Samsun Tugboat Services, following pilotage service transfers with cautious optimism.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has announced a tender for the transfer of operational rights for Tugboat Services in the Samsun Regional Service Area for a period of 20 years. This announcement was published in the Official Gazette dated January 7, 2026. The tender will be conducted through a negotiation method combined with open bidding, based on a 25% increase in the share ratio, in accordance with Law No. 4046. The deadline for applications is set for February 9, 2026, at 15:00.
This announcement marks a significant milestone for the sector, as it is the first transfer tender initiated in towage following the completion of pilotage service tenders. However, there is cautious optimism, as discussions surrounding the pilotage tenders are still fresh in the minds of stakeholders.
During the pilotage tender process, various aspects were heavily criticized, including the tender model, competition realities, the method for determining the public share ratio, the limits of administrative discretion, and the legal expectations of established service providers. Within the maritime community, there is a clear expectation that the issues encountered in pilotage should not be repeated in towage. If the same legislative framework is applied, similar outcomes are anticipated, which is not considered a surprise but rather an inevitability.
The tender text is based on the same normative grounds as pilotage regarding procedure and authority. This raises a fundamental question: Can the application change without altering the legislation?
In theory, the answer is yes; however, in practice, it is challenging. The administration's broad discretion, the negotiation plus open bidding structure, and long-term transfers carry similar risks concerning competition and service continuity.
Document fee: 40,000 TL (non-refundable).
Note: This tender is not subject to the State Tender Law No. 2886; the administration retains the discretion to decide whether or not to conduct the tender.
Towage is a “silent but vital” component of port safety. The consequences of mistakes in this area are not merely theoretical; they manifest in collision reports, insurance claims, and legal proceedings. The sector is eager for lessons learned from pilotage to be applied in this context. If the legislation remains unchanged, stakeholders want to see the lessons implemented effectively.
