At a joint seminar in Istanbul, Arkas Bunker and DB Tarımsal Enerji showcased their successful partnership in supplying certified, waste-derived marine biofuels for existing vessel fleets. The collaboration highlights Türkiye’s growing potential as a regional hub for low-carbon marine fuels while helping shipowners navigate tightening global carbon regulations.
Istanbul, Turkiye | June 29, 2026 – As global shipping faces an intensifying squeeze from stringent environmental mandates, the imperative for low-carbon marine fuels has shifted from a technical preference to a core commercial strategy. This pivotal transition took center stage at the “Biofuels in Shipping” technical seminar held at the Hilton Bosphorus Istanbul, where industry leaders Arkas Bunker and DB Tarımsal Enerji presented a powerful, field-tested model combining domestic biofuel production with extensive maritime bunkering expertise.
Organized under the theme “Sustainability, Technical Compliance, Operational Experience and Future Outlook,” the high-profile event brought together maritime executives, engine manufacturers, and sustainability experts to evaluate how certified biofuels can accelerate the decarbonization of global supply chains.
A Comprehensive Value Chain: From Waste to Marine Energy
At the heart of the discussions was the collaborative model forged between Arkas Bunker and DB Tarımsal Enerji since 2022. By converting used vegetable oils (UVO) collected entirely within Türkiye into marine biofuels, the partnership has created an integrated, traceable supply chain that aligns seamlessly with international standards.
Selçuk Borovalı, Chairman of the Board of DB Tarımsal Enerji, emphasized the broader macroeconomic and environmental significance of the initiative “What we are addressing today goes beyond an alternative fuel; it is a holistic model that transforms waste into a strategic energy resource, supports the circular economy, and contributes to low-carbon growth targets. Converting used vegetable oils into marine fuel in a traceable, certified manner generates significant added value both environmentally and economically.”
Borovalı highlighted that the fuel produced through their domestic infrastructure achieves a greenhouse gas emission reduction of up to 93.7% compared to conventional marine gas oil. Crucially, the fuel requires no technical modifications to existing vessel engines, positioning it as an immediate, cost-competitive solution matching equivalent products available across Europe.
Proven Field Performance: Over 60 Operations Completed
While many alternative fuel initiatives remain in conceptual or pilot phases, Arkas Bunker has demonstrated that biofuels are already a commercial reality in real-world operations.
Seçkin Gül, General Manager of Arkas Bunker, shared impressive metrics underscoring the maturity of their program “The transition to low-carbon fuels in shipping is no longer a long-term goal, it is today’s priority. Over the past two years, we have completed 60 bunkering operations across 32 different vessel types, supplying more than 15,000 tons of fuel and achieving an emissions reduction of 14,500 tons. Our biofuel infrastructure is ready, our products are ready, and the regulatory framework is in place.”
Gül also underscored the growing financial stakes for shipowners, noting that carbon intensity and compliance costs will increasingly dictate freight rates, route planning, and access to favorable financing conditions.
Industry Insights: Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
The seminar featured comprehensive technical sessions addressing the evolving global regulatory framework, including International Maritime Organization (IMO) greenhouse gas reduction targets and European Union carbon-intensity regulations:
- Prof. Dr. Mustafa İnsel stressed that biofuels will serve an indispensable bridging role, offering immediate regulatory compliance while long-term propulsion technologies mature.
- Erdem Soyek (Arkas Maritime Fleet) and Serra Tükel (Arkas Maritime Group Sustainability Director) outlined Arkas Line’s multi-faceted decarbonization strategy, reinforcing that biofuels represent the fastest and most tangible solution for existing fleets.
- Technical and economic perspectives were further elaborated by Serhat Hazar Sağlam (Everllence) and Yusuf Özcan Demir (OddyShip Software and Consulting), who emphasized that biofuel’s drop-in compatibility makes it an accessible, risk-mitigated option for shipowners navigating complex environmental rules.
Türkiye as an Emerging Regional Hub
A recurring theme throughout the seminar was Türkiye’s exceptional potential to establish itself as a primary bunkering and supply hub for low-carbon marine fuels. Driven by strategic geography, advanced port infrastructure, robust domestic biofuel feedstock capacity, and deep maritime heritage, the country is uniquely positioned to service major trade routes across the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and broader European corridors.
As carbon regulations tighten and the global maritime sector marches toward the IMO’s net-zero 2050 targets, the collaborative model established by Arkas Bunker and DB Tarımsal Enerji serves as a blueprint for how cross-sector partnerships can successfully transform waste
About Arkas Bunker
A subsidiary of Arkas Holding, Arkas Bunker was founded in 2006 with a mission to deliver safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible marine fuel solutions. The company’s core offerings include Marine Gas Oil (MGO), Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO), and its flagship biofuel, Bio24F. With a robust fleet and an expanding operational footprint, Arkas Bunker is the first ISCC-certified bunker supplier in Türkiye, leading the nation’s transition toward a cleaner maritime fuel ecosystem.
Source: Arkas Holding