A dry cargo vessel grounded in the Bosphorus, briefly halting vessel movements through the strategic waterway. Authorities confirmed the incident and outlined the immediate response by local coast guard and rescue services.
Emergency teams were dispatched aboard patrol and rescue craft designated KURTARMA-5, KURTARMA-6, KURTARMA-9, KURTARMA-12, NAZIM TUR and KEGM-3, KEGM-5. The grounded ship is the 173 meter long LADY ZEHMA, which reportedly experienced a rudder failure while navigating from Ukraine toward Istanbul. Officials stated there was no danger to the crew or the environment, and a coordinated operation was launched to secure the vessel and evaluate salvage options.
Official briefings later confirmed there were no injuries among those aboard. Nevertheless, traffic through the Bosphorus remained suspended while salvage teams worked to stabilize the vessel and restore safe passage through the strait. The disruption affected a critical maritime corridor linking the Black Sea with the Mediterranean, with knock-on effects on commercial shipping and port operations in Istanbul.
Recent reports indicate similar delays in the Bosphorus due to equipment failures on ships transiting the strait. A separate incident involved a vessel named Spartan that faced mechanical issues and temporarily halted traffic. In addition to towing and salvage resources, KEGM-5 high speed rescue craft were deployed to assist in the region, illustrating the rapid response framework used to manage emergencies in this busy waterway.
Historical patterns show that comparable disruptions have occurred in recent months. In May, traffic through the Bosphorus was suspended after a crude oil tanker described as RAVA encountered steering trouble while moving westward from Novorossiysk toward the port of Cartagena in Spain. The 249 meter tanker drifted near the Sarıyer district of Istanbul, prompting authorities to intervene to prevent a larger incident. Reports indicate steering system malfunctions were a factor, with towing equipment and KEGM-5 rescue units mobilized as a precautionary measure.
The Bosphorus Strait remains a narrow, highly strategic conduit connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and onward to the Mediterranean. Salvage teams continue to monitor currents, weather conditions, and the vessel’s stability while coordinating with coast guard authorities to determine when normal traffic can resume. The aim is to minimize delays for cargo operators while ensuring crew safety, vessel integrity, and the protection of nearby marine environments. As investigations unfold, authorities will review operational lessons and adjust response protocols to improve efficiency in future incidents. The latest developments are monitored by coast guard briefings and agency reports outlining the rationale behind ongoing assessments.