Turkey has implemented restrictions on commercial ship traffic into the Black Sea following an alarming rise in attacks on vessels by Russian and Ukrainian forces. The Directorate General of Coastal Safety has informed multiple ships en route to Russia’s Novorossiysk port, a critical hub for oil and grain exports, that transit permits are not currently being issued or are under extended review.
Sources close to the matter indicated that the Turkish government has not provided any official explanation for the move. The restrictions also reportedly apply to vessels heading towards Ukraine, further complicating access to the Black Sea amid escalating tensions.
Increased Security Risks
The heightened threat to navigational safety in the Black Sea is underscored by recent drone attacks that injured crew members on two Turkish-owned vessels. This development has prompted calls from Ankara urging all relevant parties, particularly those engaged in military actions, to adopt concrete measures to safeguard shipping operations in the area.
The Foreign Ministry recently emphasized that any further escalation in hostilities could have
