VTS Shipping is a specialized maritime service provider that integrates shipping agency operations with technical consultancy and surveying. Established in 2004 in Istanbul, Turkey, the company was founded by former ocean-going Master Mariners who sought to apply their practical seagoing experience to the shore-based support sector. This background in vessel command and engineering shapes the company’s operational philosophy, which prioritizes a deep understanding of ship management, regulatory compliance, and the navigational challenges faced by crews and operators.
Headquartered in Tuzla, a major hub for the Turkish maritime industry, VTS Shipping functions as a comprehensive gateway for vessels entering Turkish waters. A significant portion of its operational volume involves acting as a transit agent for ships navigating the Turkish Straits, including the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. The firm coordinates the complex formalities required for these strategic passages, ensuring compliance with local traffic regulations and facilitating smooth transit for international tonnage. Beyond the straits, the company provides full port agency services across all Turkish terminals, handling husbandry matters, crew changes, and documentation for tankers, bulk carriers, and general cargo vessels.
Parallel to its agency work, VTS Shipping maintains a robust technical division focused on marine surveying and consultancy. This arm of the business operates globally, utilizing a network of staff surveyors and partners to conduct inspections in ports worldwide, including key hubs in the United Arab Emirates and Asia. Their technical portfolio encompasses pre-purchase inspections, on-hire and off-hire condition surveys, bunker quantity surveys, and cargo damage assessments. This division serves shipowners, charterers, and insurance interests who require independent, professional verification of vessel assets and cargo conditions.
The company also supports vessel readiness and maintenance through logistical and auxiliary services. These include the supply of provisions and technical stores, the coordination of spare parts delivery to vessels in transit, and the management of underwater works such as hull cleaning and diving inspections. By combining regulatory guidance, port agency representation, and technical oversight, VTS Shipping operates as a multifaceted support entity, bridging the gap between shipboard requirements and shore-based logistical management for the international merchant fleet.
