On May 7th 2025, a circular was issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs of Turkey and sent to various maritime organizations in Turkey.
The letter instructs the agents to inform Masters prior to anchoring operations at the Istanbul Southern
Entrance Anchorage Areas and anchorage zones under the authority of Ambarli Regional Port Authority that anchoring operations should be conducted inside the designated anchorage zones, otherwise, measures such as assignment of an escort tug or underwater inspections at the expense of vessel interests may be undertaken; in addition, administrative sanctions may be imposed in cases where a vessel anchors outside of the designated zones.
The circular has clearly issued directive as below
In order to prevent possible incidents in this regard, shipping agents are required to inform the ship’s master and other responsible parties prior to anchoring operations in the Southern Entrance Anchorage Areas of the Istanbul Strait and the anchorage zones under the authority of the Ambarli reginal Port Authority with respect to the following matters:
a) The vessel shall not anchor outside the designated anchorage zone,
b) The responsibility for necessary monitoring and precautionary measures against potential anchor
dragging lies with the ship’s Master,
c) In the event of anchoring outside the designated zones, administrative sanctions may be imposed under the applicable legislation,
รง) If it is determined that the vessel is located outside the designated anchorage area, the relevant Port
Authority may assign an escort tugboat, regardless of whether any damage to subsea infrastructure has
occurred,
d) In the event that the vessel is deemed to pose a potential hazard, all related expenses, including
underwater hull and keel inspections, shall be borne by the ship’s operator or responsible parties.