Connect with us

Business

BOTAS, Arkas Bunkering and Sumitomo to support Turkey’s LNG bunkering hub ambition

Introduction of the first LNG bunkering service in Turkey and establishment of an LNG bunkering hub is in line with BOTAS’ company policy, says General Manager.
Admin

Published

5 years ago

on

Visual 2

Turkey state-owned oil company BOTAS, Arkas Petrol, a subsidiary of Arkas Holding, and Sumitomo Corporation on Wednesday (8 September) said they have agreed to cooperate in the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as bunker fuel on vessels.

The Tri-Party Agreement signed by BOTAS, Turkey’s public institution in the areas of energy, trade, transportation and storage; Arkas Bunkering, a well-known physical supplier in Turkey; and Sumitomo, a global trading company that is an expert in LNG operations in the world, aims to make the use of LNG as bunker fuel more prevailing. 

Turkey has already become one of the largest hubs for the fuel supply of vessels that pass through the East Mediterranean.  

The number of bunker vessels, which are used in providing LNG bunkering services particularly in Europe’s main terminals such as Rotterdam and Barcelona, is increasing day by day. While there were only six LNG bunker vessels in 2019, this number doubled in 2020. Furthermore, the number of ordered LNG bunker vessels has reached 27.  

“BOTAS, having adopted to becoming the most eco- friendly institution as its motto, is one of the global energy market players that operates 23,000 km of national and international oil and natural gas pipelines, Silivri and Tuz Golu Underground Natural Gas Storage Facilities, as well as two regasification units, namely Dortyol FSRU and Marmara Ereglisi LNG Regasification Facility, in accordance with international standards,” said Burhan Ozcan, General Manager of BOTAS.

“The introduction of the first LNG bunkering service in our country and the establishment of an LNG bunkering hub in line with our policy that supports the use of more eco-friendly bunker fuels in seas are great new steps for BOTAS, which is a pioneer in introducing new practices, and for our country.”

“We are providing bunkering services with our experienced staff and the brand trust of Arkas, a maritime company in Turkey with a strong vessel fleet, by following a business approach that does not compromise on quality,” notes Seckin Gul, General Manager of Arkas Bunkering.

“Making sustainable policies and investing in the field of energy is a very important issue for Arkas Bunkering in terms of adding value to our country and our customers.

“For this purpose, we have already started to make preparations for the supply of LNG as bunker fuel in Turkey. Thanks to this Tri-Party Agreement, Turkey will become a bunkering hub for LNG supply in the Eastern Mediterranean.” 

“Sumitomo Corporation is an experienced and global trading company that invests in natural gas and LNG. Having started LNG bunkering business in Asia and North America, we have been a global bunker fuel supplier for many years,” shares Yukio Kanazawa, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sumitomo Corporation Turkey.

“Our corporation is committed to be carbon neutral by 2050. With our strong and experienced Turkish business partners, we would like to contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions and the creation of an LNG bunkering hub in Turkey.” 

 

Photo credit: Arkas Holdings
Published: 9 September, 2021

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Legal

Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

Admin

Published

9 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

RESIZED Sora Shimazaki on Pexels

Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July). 

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions. 

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Founder OK Lim gets jail term slashed to 13.5 years

 

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

Admin

Published

9 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

RESIZED Drew Beamer

Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

  • That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

  • that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
  • that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
  • that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd. 

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

Related: Singapore: Director declares Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping’s inability to continue business
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping in court over DBS Bank bunker tanker loan
Related: Singapore: Bunker tanker “Coastal Neptune” arrested
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping, Coastal Logistics tankers enter S&P market

 

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Admin

Published

9 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending