APC Signs New Turkish Tanker Coating Deal
Protective coatings manufacturer Advanced Polymer Coatings Inc. (Avon, Ohio) recently announced that it has signed a multi-ship deal to recoat 10 tankers with Turkish ship management firm Chemfleet. The company reports that the move reinforces its position as a major protective tank coating company in Turkey’s maritime sector.
According to the release, the deal was struck by APC Global Marine Manager, Captain Onur Yildirim, and Captain Koray Karagoz, APC’s Marine Manager – Turkey. Captain Yildirim said APC now holds 80% of the Turkish marine coatings market.
He added that the new contract follows a third special survey of the chemical tanker fleet, which takes place after APC’s MarineLINE tank coating system has been in place for 15 years. The tank coating, at this point, needs to be recoated to maintain its performance.
“We are absolutely delighted to win this deal with our long-time customer Chemfleet,” Captain Yildirim said. “It shows rather than look for alternatives, the customer is happy with how MarineLINE is performing following 15 years of robust service and dedicated support from our team in Tuzla.
“We have built an understanding of Chemfleet’s vessels and its requirements, and that same team approach and customer service are key to building strong relationships. It is an exciting project which will see our team apply 45,000 square meters of MarineLINE into the tankers.”
The Chemfleet deal marks a “strong period” for APC in Turkey, with a collection of other projects also struck in June to recoat eight additional vessels for a range of Turkish ship owners. APC reports that in total, the deals will see 18 vessels recoated with MarineLINE.
“APC has been operating in Turkey since 2001, and we have an experienced and talented team which has coated and repaired 450+ chemical tankers in Turkey,” Captain Yildirim said. “Turkey is one of our top export destinations, and the company is on an upward trajectory in the country.”
Recent Tanker Deal
In May, APC announced that it had won a new deal to supply two new chemical tankers being built in Turkey.
The vessels to be coated include an 8000 DWT Basaran Bayrak NB 80, a chemical/oil tanker being built for the Ceksan shipowner at its Ceksan shipyard in Tuzla, and the 6000 DWT NB 68 Sedat Basak, a tanker being built for Turkish shipowner Atako Shipping and its partner Nakkas Shipping at the Gisan shipyard also in Tuzla.
According to the company’s press release, work on the project started at the end of May. The new build vessels’ cargo tanks and slop tanks will both receive applications of APC’s MarineLINE coating system. In addition, the vessels will also undergo an application inspection and full heat curing services.
Captain Yildirim said the projects will be led by their Turkish Marine Sales Manager Koray Karagoz and supported by APC's 14-strong team at its Tuzla office as well as APC’s head office in Cleveland, Ohio.
With this new deal, APC reported that it now accounts for more than 12% of the global cargo tank coating market. The deal also arrives shortly after APC inked a new deal with Chinese shipowner Shandong to supply a fleet of 50,000 DWT medium-range tankers to be chartered by Shell as part of its Shell Project Solar program.
In 2021, the company’s maritime sales grew by 40%, with 56 ships coated equating to over 750,000 square meters of MarineLINE applied.
Recent APC News
In April 2021, APC announced in a press release the hiring of Kenny Rogers as a Business Development Consultant, for the MarineLINE cargo tank coating system.
Prior to joining APC, Rogers worked for several leading shipping companies including most recently at Aurora Tankers Management as Head of Aurora Tankers, Singapore, from 2011 to 2019. He has over 30 years of experience in the shipping industry including senior management positions with companies OMI Corp., Carnival Corporation, Seabulk International, and SEACOR, and NETCO.
“We are very pleased to have Kenny join our organization,” said Captain Yildirim, at the time. “He has a strong background with many years of experience in the Maritime industry. He will continue to solidify our niche position with our world-wide clients in understanding the value of the MarineLINE coating system.”
Two months later, it was announced that Captain Tore Svensen had joined APC as a Business Development Consultant, for the MarineLINE cargo tank coating system.
Captain Svensen is reported to have a diverse portfolio of experience on-board chemical tankers, holding a diverse range of management positions for profitable companies such as: Odfjell Tankers, JO Tankers, NCC, Barwill and ISS.
He also worked for several prominent shipping companies on board a variety of different coated chemical tankers, including UACC as Head of Fleet, Middle East, from 2016 to 2021, prior to joining APC.
