Istanbul Strait Ship Traffic Halted Both Ways After Cargo Vessel Runs Aground

Ship traffic in Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait came to a standstill in both directions on Tuesday after a cargo vessel experienced a mechanical failure and ran aground. The Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure announced the temporary suspension of traffic, which began at 6:10 PM local time.

The vessel, identified as the 'Hacı Hüseyin,' was sailing under the flag of Sao Tome and Principe and was en route from Russia to İskenderun. It was carrying 22,000 tons of iron ore when its engines failed near the Kanlıca district on the European side of the strait.

Authorities quickly responded to the incident. The General Directorate of Coastal Safety deployed the tugboats Kurtarma-8 and Nazım Tur, along with the KEGM-5 boat, to the location. These vessels were tasked with assisting the stranded ship.

The Bosphorus, a vital waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, experiences heavy maritime traffic. Any disruption can have significant implications for shipping and trade. The ministry stated that the traffic suspension was temporary, indicating efforts were underway to resolve the situation and clear the strait as quickly as possible.

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The ship named 'Hacı Hüseyin,' 154 meters in length, flying the flag of Sao Tome and Principe, dropped anchor while drifting towards land due to engine failure off Kanlıca in the Istanbul Strait. Rescue-8 and Nazım Tur tugboats belonging to the General Directorate of Coastal Safety, along with the KEGM-5 boat, were dispatched to the area and reached the ship. Istanbul Strait ship traffic has been suspended in both directions and temporarily as of 18:10.