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Turkish bunker supplier Arkas Bunkering has announced the addition of Turkey's biggest bunker vessel to its fleet.

The 4,137-deadweight-tonne (dwt), 90-metre-long M/T Çesme is the company's sixth barge. It is double-hulled and Turkey-flagged - like the other five vessels in Arkas Bunkering's fleet.

"Arkas Bunkering continues to invest in bunker barges in order to increase its market share and strengthen its current position in the Turkish market," the supplier said in a statement.

In addition to its fleet of six vessels, Arkas Bunkering also operates two terminals in the Marmara Sea region, from where it manages its entire bunker delivery process.

Commenting on its position in the Turkish bunker market, the company claims that one out of every three vessels that refuel in the country are bunkered by Arkas Bunkering.

"A report published by Turkey's Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) states that Arkas Bunkering - not only the biggest fuel oil provider in Turkey but also the company that purchases the largest amount of fuel from abroad - has an important market share in the world bunker market with sales of up to 1 million tons and supplies one out 3 vessels bunkering in Turkey," the company said.

Sales of marine fuel in the country's leading bunker port, Istanbul, are currently estimated at around 2 million tonnes per annum.