The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Directorate General of Maritime Affairs, has imposed restrictions on ships anchoring around the Bosphorus to prevent potential security risks due to congestion.
Accordingly, ships over 5,000 GT are prohibited from anchoring for more than 72 hours at the Kartal anchorage area at the southern entrance of the Istanbul Bosphorus. Ships that violate this restriction will face administrative penalties by the Tuzla Regional Port Authority under the relevant regulations.
Ships Are Limited to 72 Hours
In the letter titled “Istanbul Bosphorus Anchorage Areas” sent by the Ministry to all relevant sector stakeholders and public institutions, the following statements were included:
“Taking into account the congestion in the grain corridor at the southern entrance of the Istanbul Bosphorus, as well as the need to enhance navigation safety and maritime security to reduce serious maritime accident risks, certain measures have been taken. However, due to the recent accidents caused by congestion at anchorage areas and the accumulation of ships waiting in drift in the Sea of Marmara, additional measures are being evaluated. On 07/04/2023, a meeting was held under the coordination of our General Directorate with the participation of the Coast Guard General Directorate (KEGM), Istanbul and Tuzla Regional Port Authorities, and the sector to discuss the safety of anchorage areas. Until maritime traffic at anchorage areas becomes safe:
- a) The measures notified through letters (a) and (b) should continue to be implemented,
- b) Ships waiting in drift in the Sea of Marmara may be directed to less congested anchorage areas outside the scope of the Turkish Straits Maritime Traffic Regulation, including the administrative areas of Ambarlı and Yalova Regional Port Authorities,
- c) Ships passing through these areas without stopping for more than 168 hours should be cleared for free pratique, and health, safety, customs, and other regulatory inspections should be carried out as required,
d) Lists of ships that have reached 72 hours and 168 hours at these anchorage areas will be promptly reported by KEGM to the relevant Regional Port Authorities for necessary action,
- e) Only ships that do not carry hazardous cargo and are under 5,000 GT will be allowed to anchor at the Kartal Anchorage Area. These ships will not be allowed to remain anchored for more than 72 hours. Ships wishing to remain anchored for longer periods will be directed to other suitable anchorage areas in the Sea of Marmara, and ships violating this will face administrative penalties by the Tuzla Regional Port Authority in accordance with current regulations.
We present the letter sent by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Directorate General of Maritime Affairs for your information. For more details, please contact us using the communication information below.
