Turkish straits transit Dardanelles & Bosporus

Canal Navigator Giving You What You Need in Bosporus and Dardanelles transit Peace of Mind Included

Agency Services:

Main Agency in Turkish straits transit Dardanelles & Bosporus

– Protecting agency

-Crew change

-Smooth sign on/off of the majority of nationalities

-Crew Medical attendance

-Cash to master

-Clearance and Delivery onboard the vessel of Spare parts or other consignments

-Ship’s mail

-Freight forwarding

-Supply of stores: Deck, Engine cabin, provisions, bonded stores, anti piracy stuff

-Supply of Fresh water, bunkers, lubricants, chemicals, etc.

-Supply of BA Charts & Nautical publications

-Surveys of all types, on/of hire bunker & condition survey, draft surveys, etc.

-Coordinate & follow up repairs onboard the ship carried out by local workshops

-Underwater hull inspections and cleaning

-Garbage removal

-Disposal ashore of sludge, slops, sediments, oily water, via tank barge

We do not charge protecting agency fees for attending ship’s items and only the actual cost of the rendered services. Same is valid also for the vessels transiting canal under the attendance of the agent of the time charterer.

* Special services

We can assist vessels arriving with serious operational deficiencies—such as missing anchors, malfunctioning cranes, or non‑operational navigation systems—that would otherwise be denied entry into the straits and face significant delays and costs. Our support enables ships to resolve such issues quickly and efficiently. Early contact prior to the vessel’s ETA is essential to ensure successful handling of the problem.

Safeguarding of ship’s interests

Our port captains closely monitor each vessel’s movements from arrival to departure, providing 24/7 oversight. They keep all involved parties promptly informed of the vessel’s transit prospects, expected entry and exit times, and remain on standby to assist the master with required documentation, inspections, and any other needs that may arise.

Restrictions on Cypriot flag ships transiting Turkish straits

Pilotage services are provided to Cypriot‑flag vessels transiting the Dardanelles and Bosphorus Straits; however, no other services are permitted.

Dardanelles traffic schedule

There is no fixed traffic scheme for northbound or southbound transit through Dardanelles. In most cases, vessels experience no transit delay. However when a large oil tanker of over 200 meters LOA is scheduled to pass, the transit of other vessels may be postponed for a few hours.
The Vessel Traffic Center (VTS) announces each vessel’s estimated entry time into the strait typically 3-4 hours before the scheduled transit.
Transit order follows the principle of “fist come first served”.

Bosphorus traffic schedule

Bosphorus traffic generally operates on a 12 hours alternating schedule: Northbound transit from 0001 to 1200hrs) and southbound transit from 1200 to 2400hrs). However this pattern is not fixed and may change daily depending on the number and types of vessels awaiting passage. The transit of tankers over 200 meters LOA can delay the movement of other vessels, causing schedule adjustments and additional waiting time.
The Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) announces each vessel’s estimated entry time into the strait, typically 3–4 hours before the scheduled transit. Transit order follows the “first come, first served” principle.

Passage planning & services to ships

Vessels awaiting transit that intend to receive supplies, crew changes, inspections, or other services are not scheduled for passage until the master formally notifies the relevant VTS Sector that all services have been completed and the vessel is ready to proceed.

Waiting time of ships due to transit Bosphorus strait northbound

Ships awaiting transit through the straits may remain drifting in the designated waiting areas or anchor at the established anchorages of Istanbul for up to 48 hours without incurring anchorage fees.

Vessels remaining at anchor for more than 48 hours and up to 7 days are charged anchorage fees according to the tariff based on Gross Tonnage (GT). Ships waiting longer than 7 days must undergo free pratique formalities and are charged port arrival and departure fees, identical to those applied to vessels calling at a port for cargo operations.

Crew change

Crew changes may be carried out at the Istanbul waiting area while a vessel is awaiting its transit turn for passage through the Bosphorus Strait.

Entry visas upon arrival at the airport can be granted to seafarers holding valid passports and seaman’s books issued by the USA, Canada, Australia, and European countries.

Entry visas on arrival may also be granted to certain other nationalities. Please contact us for further information.

Spare parts

Spare parts or other items can be dispatched to Turkey via airfreight or courier service for delivery onboard a vessel awaiting for its Bosphorus strait transit turn. Please contact us for more info.

Bunkering

Bunkers may be supplied at the Istanbul anchorage to vessels awaiting their Bosphorus Strait transit turn. Bunkering can also be arranged at the Istanbul anchorage after a vessel exits the Bosphorus Strait, provided that any resulting delay is acceptable.

Surveys

On/off hire bunker and or condition survey or other surveys can be carried out at the anchorage of Istanbul while a vessel is waiting for Bosphorus strait transit turn or after a vessel exits the Bosphorus Strait, provided that any resulting delay is acceptable.

Fumigation of the Cargo

Cargo fumigation can be safely carried out at the anchorage of Istanbul.

Bosphorus transit of large size oil tankers

Tankers of LOA over 200 meters are allowed to transit at early daylight hours and with escort tug after obtaining special transit permission.
Escort tug is mandatory for tankers over 200 meters LOA.
Permission of Port Authority is required and transit plan for tankers over 300 m. LOA.

Bosphorus transit of all ships over 200 m LOA and or max draft over 15 meters

Vessels with the above characteristics are permitted and scheduled to transit only during early daylight hours. Pilotage is optional but strongly recommended, and an escort tug is mandatory.