UZMAR wins a 20-year tugboat service concession in Samsun with a 41% bid, raising concerns about long-term sustainability in the industry.
The tender for the transfer of the towing service operating rights in the Samsun Regional Service Area for a period of 20 years was held today at the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs. The tender was won by UZMAR with a public share offer of 41%. Sanmar came in second with a rate of 40.5%, while Marin remained at 25%. Safi was excluded from evaluation due to incomplete documentation.
The pilotage service tender held in Samsun about a year ago was the first transfer tender in the region and, according to publicly available information, it resulted in a public share rate of 58-59%. This rate sparked discussions in the sector about 'loss-making services,' with assessments suggesting that high public share offers could strain the long-term operational economy.
Although the 41% rate that emerged in today's towing tender appears lower compared to pilotage, similar sustainability questions have resurfaced. Towing operations are conducted under significant fixed cost pressure due to high capital investment, a strong fleet structure, maintenance and repair obligations, rising fuel costs, and the requirement for 24/7 readiness.
Industry representatives are closely monitoring whether the public share competition will exert pressure on service quality and long-term investment capacity. The common question raised in the corridors is: 'While high-rate tenders may seem beneficial to the public in the short term, do they create a sustainable business model in the long term?'
The transfer process that began with pilotage in Samsun continued with the towing tender. In the upcoming period, the model's reflection in the field will be more clearly seen through financial statements and service performance.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
