Uzmar-Sanmar Joint Venture Wins Kocaeli-2 Regional Tug Concession With 75.5% Public Revenue Share for 20 Years
The Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure on Wednesday awarded the Kocaeli-2 Regional Service Area tug concession, which transfers the operating rights for twenty years, to a joint venture formed by leading domestic operators Uzmar Towage and Sanmar Shipping. The consortium secured the concession by offering the highest share of revenue to the public.
The tender, opened with a TL 21.115 million provisional collateral, covered service to designated industrial ports, terminal jetties and coastal installations along the Gulf of İzmit. The Uzmar-Sanmar joint venture prevailed with a 75.5% public revenue share, the highest bid of the day.
Industry observers flagged the 75.5% ratio as one of the headline takeaways from the auction, suggesting it could serve as a benchmark for upcoming regional tug tenders elsewhere in Türkiye. The level was significantly higher than the 41% public share that Uzmar had offered to win the Samsun Regional Service Area tender in February, underlining the operational pull of the Gulf of İzmit, which sits adjacent to the Turkish Straits.
Attention now turns to the next batch of regional service-area tenders, where competitive pressure and public-share offers will be tested again. Kocaeli-2's outcome is widely expected to influence both fleet-renewal plans and pending newbuild tug orders for Turkish operators.
The 20-year concession contract is anticipated to be signed in the coming weeks, after which the Uzmar-Sanmar consortium will assume responsibility for round-the-clock harbour towage in the assigned coastal area, an operational artery serving Türkiye's container, bulk and chemical-trade gateways.
Key Takeaways:
1. The 20-year operating rights for the Kocaeli-2 Regional Service Area tug concession went to the Uzmar-Sanmar joint venture.
2. The winning bid of a 75.5% public revenue share was flagged as a notable benchmark for the Turkish tug-services market.
3. The Ministry of Transport launched the tender with TL 21.115 million provisional collateral, covering Gulf of İzmit industrial ports and jetties.
4. The 75.5% level was sharply higher than the 41% public share Uzmar offered to win the Samsun Regional Service Area tender in February.
5. The outcome is expected to set the tone for upcoming regional service-area tenders and shape fleet-investment decisions.
