The Bosphorus Strait remains blocked after an oil tanker became lodged in the waterway, according to reports from RIA News. The vessel, flying a Liberian flag, is causing a total halt to traffic in both directions while authorities work to free it. The tanker measures about 250 meters in length, and two tugboats along with a coast guard vessel are engaged in attempts to dislodge the vessel. It was en route from Istanbul to Izmir’s Aliağa port when the incident occurred.
Earlier statements from the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Transport suggested there were no immediate obstacles for Russian oil tankers passing through the Istanbul and Dardanelles Straits. This claimed no current passage issues for those ships, though the situation at the Bosphorus has swiftly evolved since then.
On December 9, the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs announced that congestion at the Bosphorus entrance was linked to European insurers’ reluctance to issue certificates allowing oil tankers to traverse the strait. The directive prohibits oil carriers that cannot present valid insurance certificates from sailing through the Bosphorus as of December 1, a policy designed to bolster risk management and regulatory compliance in the busy corridor.
In a related note, the strait has previously seen incidents involving cargo ships bound for Russia, underscoring the ongoing vulnerabilities and operational challenges that affect maritime traffic in this critical waterway. Analysts note that insurance requirements and geopolitical dynamics are increasingly influencing traffic patterns at the Bosphorus, with ripple effects felt across regional supply chains and energy markets.
Rescue teams from the coast guard and port authorities continue to monitor the situation, coordinating efforts to safely berthing the tanker or free it without causing environmental or navigational hazards. A clearance plan is expected to be communicated as efforts progress, and maritime authorities have urged ships to maintain cautious speeds and follow all instructions issued by on-scene commanders. The incident highlights the delicate balance between safety protocols, insurance practices, and the uninterrupted flow of cross-border trade through one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints (RIA News; General Directorate of Maritime Affairs; Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation).