Amendments were made to the “Implementation Directive for the Regulation Regarding Sea Traffic Scheme in Turkish Straits” upon consent of the Ministry of Transportation due to developments and changing conditions of shipping sector. The relevant amendments Came into force on 13 October 2025.

The amendments relate to the Dardanelles passage, and we would like to highlight important developments that may be of interest to the Shipowners as well as the Charterer members. These developments can be summarized as follows:-

• Container ships of 300 Mtrs LOA and can now make their Dardanelles passage during night with the assistance of a pilot, subject to the additional rules.
• Container and passenger ships of 300 m LOA and over should inform the Turkish Straits Traffic Control Center at least 6 hours before in the event of a delay or early arrival exceeding half an hour, in order for effective passage planning for the Dardanelles.
• LPG ships with LOA between 150-200 Mtrs, whether empty or carrying ammonia are to transit the Dardanelles with a pilot and tugboat escort including at night.
• In addition to above, general passage rules for ships passing Dardanelles have been changed. The changes can be summarised as below
  • Ships with the specifications given below carry out their passages through the Dardanelles during the day with a pilot, and it is strongly recommended these ships to take tugboat escort in the number and power specified in clause (e) of the first paragraph of Article 7, and clause (b) of the first paragraph and clause (c) of the second paragraph of this Directive.
  • a) Ships with LOA of 200 meters and above specified in clause (t)’s sub clause (1), (4), (5) and (6) of the first paragraph of Article 2, b) Ships with LOA of 200 meters and above and carrying IMDG Code Section 1 cargo, c) Deep draft ships, ç) Passage of towages (tug + tow) that are not notified to the Straits Traffic Control Center, d) Ships that are subject to additional passage requirement
• (5) Ships with the specifications given below carry out their passages through the Dardanelles during the day and night with a pilot, and it is strongly recommended these ships to take tugboat escort in the number and power specified in clause (e) of the first paragraph of Article 7 a) Ships with LOA of 200 meters and above specified in clause (t)’s sub clause (3) of the first paragraph of Article 2, b) All ships, excluding passenger ships, LOA of 250 meters and above that are not carrying dangerous cargo, c) Ships with LOA of 250 meters and above specified in clause (t)’s sub clause (2) of the first paragraph of Article 2,