Bosphorus Strait Traffic Suspended Again After Tanker Suffers Mechanical Failure

Ship traffic in Istanbul’s busy Bosphorus Strait was temporarily suspended on December 26 after the Panamanian-flagged tanker Cordelia Moon suffered an engine failure.

The 274-meter-long crude oil tanker was travelling empty to Novorossiysk, Russia, when it broke down near Istanbul’s Asian side, close to the Beykoz district.

Turkey’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety dispatched three rescue tugs- Kurtarma-8, Kurtarma-10, and Kurtarma-11- to tow the stranded vessel.

The tanker was safely moved to the Ahirkapi Anchorage Area, allowing ship traffic to resume in both directions.

The Cordelia Moon, managed by an Indian company, had previously sustained damage in an attack by the Houthi forces in October. The attack involved drones, missiles, and a bomb boat, with videos showing the vessel’s security team trying to neutralise the threat.

The tanker was undergoing repairs and was empty for its journey to Russia.

In a similar incident, the Panamania-flagged Nazan, a 114-meter-long tanker, experienced a rudder failure while travelling through the Bosphorus from Russia to Kocaeli, Turkiye.

Similarly, in August, the Sredina, a 34,800 dwt product tanker, suffered an engine malfunction, causing another temporary suspension of the traffic on the strait.

The Bosphorus Strait, one of the world’s busiest waterways, connects the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea and the Mediterranean. It is vital for international trade but is prone to disruptions due to the narrow passage and frequent mechanical failures.

Greek authorities earlier this week detained an unidentified tanker after it collided with a cargo ship in Piraeus. While no injuries were reported, authorities are investigating the collision.

Over the past two days, strong winds and bad weather in Istanbul slowed down maritime operations. Ferry services between Istanbul and Bursa were also cancelled due to the conditions.

Turkish officials have assured that their response teams acted quickly to ensure safety and minimise delays. They continue to investigate the causes of these repeated mechanical failures in the strait.

References: Tass, DailySabah

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