Fatos Solt, who leads the Turkish travel firm Şolt Tur, outlined plans for the initial ferry connections linking Trabzon port with Sochi, with services expected to commence around May 10 or 11. This update originates from DEA News and is reflected in Solt’s remarks.
Solt explained that the agency’s partners in Sochi preferred to kick off flights after May 10 due to a Russian holiday period, and noted that several administrative steps must be completed before May 1. He also pointed out that current ticket sales had not yet begun. The timing considerations underscore the careful coordination needed between travel operators, port authorities, and regulatory bodies to ensure a smooth resumption of maritime travel on this cross-border corridor, particularly after a lengthy pause.
The President of the Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Erkut Çelebi, stated that ferry services on the Sochi-Trabzon route are set to resume on May 1 after a nine-year hiatus. He highlighted the capacity of the vessel to handle diverse cargo and passenger loads, noting that the ship can accommodate 200 cars, six buses, and 12 containers, which signals a robust rebound in cross-border connectivity and trade activity for the region.
Historically, ferry service between Sochi and Trabzon operated from 1992 until 2014, typically running once per week and delivering a travel time of about 12 hours. In addition, a high-speed vessel of the Kometa type previously provided a faster option between the two cities, completing the crossing in roughly five hours. These past services offer a benchmark for what travelers and businesses might expect as maritime links are reestablished, with potential implications for tourism flows, regional supply chains, and bilateral exchanges across the Black Sea region (DEA News).