Four Indian sailors stranded for ten months on the Mongolia-flagged AZRA C off Turkey’s coast have finally been rescued. The ship, docked near Istanbul since August 2025, was abandoned after its owners were arrested. Conditions deteriorated, prompting the ITF to provide essential supplies during their ordeal. Legal actions are ongoing.
Turkish authorities swiftly responded to two tankers near Istanbul in distress due to strong winds. The empty Azerbaijan-flagged Kalbajar and the Turkish-flagged Alatepe, carrying 2,500 tons of chemicals, faced a collision risk as the Kalbajar’s propeller became entangled with the Alatepe’s anchor chain. Emergency tugs were dispatched.
Traffic in Turkey’s Bosphorus strait was disrupted by an engine failure on a northbound tanker. The Panama-flagged Cordelia Moon, bound for Russia, experienced the malfunction near Yenikoy. An assistance vessel was sent to aid. The incident halted traffic in the critical waterway, impacting global shipping. Efforts are underway to safely resolve the issue.
