Ship agency and ship supply services in Turkey
SMETRD, based in Istanbul, coordinates ship agency, port services, Bosphorus transit, ship supplies, spare parts, equipment and crew change for vessels calling at Turkish ports. This page is the map: it shows which service page answers which question and what to send for a written quote.
What ship agency and ship supply services does SMETRD coordinate in Turkey?
SMETRD coordinates the shore-side work of a port call: ship agency, port services, Bosphorus transit notifications, ship chandler orders, spare parts, equipment and crew change. Work is carried out with local agents and approved suppliers, and you receive one written offer instead of several separate enquiries.
The role is coordination from an Istanbul office. SMETRD does not claim to operate ports, customs brokerage or agency licences itself; the executing party is named in each offer.
Which service page should I read first?
Start with ship agency if you need a representative at a Turkish port, with Bosphorus transit if you only pass through the straits, and with ship chandler or spare parts if you need goods delivered on board. Crew change and husbandry cover people and repair logistics.
- Representation at port: ship agent in Turkey
- Straits passage: Bosphorus transit agent
- Goods on board: ship chandler, ship supplies, spare parts, equipment
- People: crew change in Istanbul
- Repairs and ashore tasks: husbandry agent
How does a port call in Turkey work from enquiry to sailing?
A call starts with your vessel particulars, ETA and cargo or purpose. The agent notifies the authorities, books berth, pilot and tug, arranges customs and immigration formalities, handles requested supplies or crew changes, and closes with a final disbursement account after sailing.
Exact notification periods and forms are set by the authorities and the port, so the agent confirms them for your port and date rather than relying on a general rule.
What information do you need to quote a port call?
Send the vessel name, IMO number, flag, type, gross tonnage, LOA and draft, ETA and port, cargo and quantity, and the services wanted. For supplies, add a requisition list; for spares, maker, model and part numbers. Complete details avoid repeated questions and shorten the time to a written offer.
- Vessel name, IMO, flag, type, GT, LOA, draft
- ETA, port and berth if known
- Cargo, quantity, operation planned
- Services wanted: agency, supplies, spares, crew change
- Requisition or parts list in Excel or PDF
Which Turkish ports and areas can be covered?
Coverage is planned around Istanbul and Ambarlı, the Tuzla and Yalova shipyard area, Gemlik, Izmit and Derince, Izmir and Aliağa, Mersin, Çanakkale, Bandırma and Samsun. Availability of local agents and suppliers differs by port, so SMETRD confirms the exact capability for each enquiry.
Do you only serve ships calling in Istanbul?
No. Istanbul is the office location and a major hub, but enquiries for the Marmara region, the Aegean, the Mediterranean coast and the Black Sea are accepted. The nearer the port is to Istanbul, the simpler the supplier logistics tend to be, but other ports can usually be coordinated.
For remote berths, allow more time for supplier delivery and say so early in the enquiry.
Who is the typical customer?
Typical customers are ship owners, managers, charterers, technical superintendents and procurement officers abroad who need a dependable contact in Turkey for one call or a regular programme. Traders shipping cargo to Europe can also combine marine services with freight arranged by SMETRD.
How is a ship agent different from a ship chandler?
A ship agent represents the owner or charterer at the port, handling authorities, berth and documents. A ship chandler supplies goods such as provisions, stores and consumables to the vessel. The two often work together on a call, and the agent frequently arranges delivery alongside.
What does a Bosphorus transit involve for the owner?
For most merchant ships, passage through the Turkish Straits means preparing the notification, following Vessel Traffic Services instructions and planning for possible waiting time. An agent usually submits the information and keeps you informed of the queue and weather situation.
Can supplies and spare parts be delivered to anchorage?
Yes, deliveries can be arranged to the quay, to a buoy or to anchorage by launch, depending on port rules and weather. Anchorage delivery needs more lead time and a boat booking. Confirm the berth or anchorage position, and permits for transfer, with the agent before ordering.
What documents and certificates may be requested?
Typical documents are the crew list, ship's particulars, cargo documents, stores and bonded stores declarations, and, for spares, a packing list and commercial invoice. Class or maker certificates are supplied on request for parts and safety equipment. Requirements differ by port, so the agent lists them for your call.
Sending documents early reduces the risk of waiting time at the berth.
Which international rules shape these services?
Ship operations follow IMO conventions including SOLAS for safety, MARPOL for pollution, ISM for management, STCW for crew standards and the ISPS Code for security. Port formalities add national rules from Turkish authorities. The agent explains which of them affect your call and the paperwork you must prepare.
The pages of this section refer to these frameworks in general terms; check the current text for your specific case.
How quickly can I receive a quote?
Response time depends on the complexity of the request and on supplier availability. Simple agency or supply enquiries with complete details are answered sooner than parts requests needing manufacturer confirmation. SMETRD does not promise a fixed time; the first reply states what is still needed and when the offer can follow.
Contact is by e-mail, which keeps a written record of the specification and the scope.
Do you publish prices for agency or supplies?
No. Port costs, supplier prices and service fees depend on the vessel, the port, the date and the scope, so SMETRD issues a written quote for each request instead of a public tariff. The quote lists what is included, who executes each item and which costs are estimates.
Quotes for chandler and parts orders can be compared line by line against your requisition.
Can marine services be combined with freight from Turkey?
Yes. SMETRD also arranges road, sea and air freight and trades steel, plastics, chemicals and paint. If your vessel loads or discharges Turkish goods, or you need spares sent onward to another port in Europe, the freight can be planned together with the marine service.
Where is SMETRD located and how do I contact it?
SMETRD is based in Istanbul, in the Kadıköy district (Merdivenköy). Contact is by e-mail at [email protected]. Please include vessel details, the port and the services wanted so the first answer can be specific rather than a request for more information.
How to request a maritime services quote?
Write to [email protected] with the vessel particulars, ETA and port, the type of service, and your lists or part numbers. State delivery location (quay, buoy, anchorage), required documents and any deadline. A written offer follows with scope, executing party and assumptions clearly stated.
Frequently asked questions
What does SMETRD do for ships in Turkey?
SMETRD coordinates ship agency, port services, straits transit notifications, supplies, spare parts, equipment and crew change with local agents and approved suppliers, and gives one written quote.
Is SMETRD a licensed ship agent?
SMETRD acts as coordinator. Each offer names the party that executes the agency or supply work, so you can check their status before confirming.
Which ports in Turkey can you cover?
Istanbul and Ambarlı, Tuzla and Yalova, Gemlik, Izmit and Derince, Izmir and Aliağa, Mersin, Çanakkale, Bandırma and Samsun are planned. Please confirm your port when you enquire.
Do you publish rates?
No. Quotes are written per request, because costs depend on the vessel, port, date and scope.
How do I contact SMETRD?
By e-mail at [email protected]. Include vessel details, port, ETA and the services you need.
Can I order supplies and spares in one request?
Yes. Send both lists together and indicate the delivery location and deadline; they can be quoted and scheduled as one delivery.