Turkey’s Besiktas acquires three medium-range tankers

Besiktas Shipping eyes Asia routes: Turkey’s Besiktas Shipping announced it is planning to charter three medium-range oil and chemical tankers to Singapore-based oil trader Trafigura. The new vessels — which the company just purchased for USD 99 mn — expand the company’s fleet to 39 ships.

The timing matters: The move comes just when the Turkish shipper said it will pause all Russia-related voyages, citing escalating regional risks after its vessel Mersin was hit by explosions of unknown source off Senegal’s coast last year.

The industry context is also relevant: With 2026 vessel deliveries hitting a 15-year high and fleet supply outpacing demand, the company is signalling it is moving away from risky spot trades — and its new charter agreement with Trafigura secures longer-term revenue in more predictable, Asia-focused routes.

There’s more from the firm: Besiktas Shipyard — already one of Europe’s highest-volume repair hubs — is weighing whether increased physical tonnage will capture a larger slice of the oil and chemical tanker maintenance market. By moving beyond its 200-ship annual capacity (pdf), the yard is positioning itself as a critical maintenance backstop for the aging tanker fleets currently dominating regional trade routes.