OW Bunker Upgrades Istanbul Based Bunker Barges

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday March 11, 2014

OW Bunker today announced in an emailed statement it has upgraded bunker barges based in Istanbul, Turkey, in advance of new regulations by the Turkish Ministry of Transportation set to come into force in 2016.

The supplier's 1150 dwt bunker barge Feyzanur, along with the 800 dwt vessel M/T Boreas-T, owned by OW Bunker's wholly-owned subsidiary TBS Denizcilik A.S. (TBS), have both been fitted with double hulls.

As part of the same programme, TBS' existing double-hulled barge, the 1250dwt Ares-T, was said to have undergone a comprehensive survey in dry dock to assess and improve its performance and operational efficiency

Søren Christian Meyer, Vice President, Physical Distribution, OW Bunker, welcomed the new 2016 regulations, which aim to bring Turkey’s bunker fleet into line with existing International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and European Union (EU) regulations requiring all bunker barges above 600dwt to be double-hulled.

"We welcome the stricter 2016 regulations regarding barge specification, and have made significant investments towards creating the most modern bunker fleet in the region well ahead of schedule," he said.

"This forward-looking approach that looks to minimise operating costs and increase efficiencies both in our own operations and those of our customers is a critical part of our strategy, and demonstrates the firm commitment that we have to our customers in the region."

Sibel Buyuk, General Manager, TBS Denizcilik A.S. commented: "While regulations mandating the conversion to double-hulled barges are not due until 2016, the improvements made to our vessels in dry dock are an important part of an overall strategic programme to ensure that we have the most efficient and cost effective physical distribution operation in the region."