(ANKARA, TURKEY) – Turkey has restarted permitting commercial vessels to pass through its straits into the Black Sea, following a period of unexplained delays that left ships waiting for several days without authorisation, Bloomberg reported.
The disruption came as Turkish authorities voiced growing alarm over attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Some of the incidents involved vessels owned by Turkey or flying the Turkish flag. The Coast Guard Directorate had informed certain ships heading to Russian and Ukrainian ports that transit permits were not being issued for such voyages at that time. No official explanation was given to the vessels, and the Turkish authorities made no public comment on the matter.
The delays occurred against a backdrop of heightened security risks in the region. The Turkish government has been increasingly outspoken about the threat to merchant shipping. Ankara has appealed to both Ukraine and Russia to declare a formal moratorium on attacks against commercial vessels in the Black Sea.
In a related diplomatic move, Ukraine agreed to help ensure safe passage for some tankers that are not carrying Russian oil. The arrangement points to an effort to keep open a corridor for energy shipments that do not directly serve the Russian war economy, while broader security guarantees remain elusive.
The Turkish straits, comprising the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles, are the sole maritime gateway to the Black Sea. Under the Montreux Convention, Turkey controls the passage of warships and has significant authority over commercial traffic during periods of heightened regional tension. The temporary halt, even if informal and brief, served as a sharp reminder of Turkey’s strategic leverage over all Black Sea trade.
Ship tracking data during the affected days showed a build up of waiting vessels, with freight costs for Black Sea routes ticking upward in response to the uncertainty. Grain, steel and fertiliser shipments, on which several Middle Eastern and African markets rely, were among the cargoes facing potential delay.
The resumption of transit permits offers temporary relief to shipping operators, but the underlying risk remains. Commercial vessels have been hit by drifting mines, missile strikes and drone attacks since the full scale invasion of Ukraine began. Insurers continue to price Black Sea voyages at a steep premium, reflecting the persistent danger to hulls and crew.
