Turkey: Arkas, Sumitomo in LNG bunkering deal

Turkey’s Arkas Bunkering partnered up with Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation for the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as bunker fuel in Turkish and nearby seas.

The duo intends to have ship-to-ship LNG bunkering options ready by the time the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) global sulphur cap set to enter into force in 2020, Arkas Bunkering said in its statement.

In terms of volume, around 2.8 million tons of fuel per year are used in the Turkish and nearby seas, with Arkas supplying one out of every three vessels in Turkes.

With the agreement, Arkas Bunkering and Sumitomo Corporation have already started the preparations for the service to be provided to LNG-powered vessels.

The duo are focusing on the distribution network and infrastructure particularly in Turkey and the surrounding region.

With the collaboration, ship-to-ship LNG bunkering will be offered for the first time in Turkey, Arkas Bunkering said.