Turkish firefighters used an innovative ladder truck rescue to save six crew members from the sinking Sea Star Tilos ferry at Altinova Shipyard. All crew were safely evacuated without injury, but the unique twin-hulled vessel later sank, raising environmental concerns about possible pollution in the surrounding waters.
Danica Crewing Services has opened a new recruitment office in Istanbul, Turkey, enhancing its global network. Managed by former seafarer Hasan Koroglu, the office aims to supply skilled Turkish seafarers to shipowners worldwide. Turkish maritime standards are highly regarded, ensuring compliance with international regulations and access to a vast talent pool.
The oil tanker Qendil, part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” ran aground near Turkey’s Bozcaada island while empty. The Turkish Directorate General of Coastal Safety dispatched tugboats for assistance. This incident follows a drone attack by Ukraine, marking the country’s intensified efforts against Russia’s oil infrastructure amidst ongoing sanctions.
Elena, the wife of imprisoned seafarer Ali Albokhari, is fervently seeking justice as her husband endures a 30-year sentence in Turkey for drug charges linked to a seized ship. She claims the verdict lacked proper evidence, highlighting her husband’s despair and advocating for broader awareness of seafarer criminalization.
On September 18, the Turkish Coast Guard successfully rescued seven crew members from the grounded cargo ship Rapid off the Kocaeli coast. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The vessel, carrying gypsum to Ukraine, was pushed ashore by severe weather. Salvage operations will resume once conditions improve.
The superyacht M/Y Dolce Vento sank shortly after its launch at Medyılmaz Shipyard in Turkey on September 2, 2025. Just minutes after entering the water, the 24-meter vessel capsized due to stabilization issues. Fortunately, all four aboard escaped and were rescued by shipyard workers. An investigation is ongoing.
Turkish authorities released Croatian Captain Marko Bekavac on August 8, nearly two years after his arrest for drug trafficking. He attributed his release to diplomatic efforts by Croatia. Bekavac had been sentenced to 30 years for cocaine found on his ship, while his first officer remains imprisoned, awaiting appeal.
The Hinnøy, Norway’s largest fully battery-powered ferry, has completed construction in Turkey and is on its way to Norway. With a capacity for 399 passengers and 120 cars, it will operate in the Arctic fjord region, setting new records in size, speed, and charging capabilities. This marks a significant step towards sustainable maritime transportation in Norway.
Turkey has rejected the EU’s Maritime Spatial Planning maps for the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, calling them “null and void.” The Turkish Foreign Ministry emphasized that the EU has no authority in maritime disputes between sovereign states. They stress the importance of resolving issues with Greece through direct dialogue and international law, not EU involvement.
Two crewmembers tragically lost their lives in an engine room fire aboard the general cargo ship FG Sevil on October 31. The vessel, en route from Yalova, Turkey to Bulgaria, caught fire off Sedef Island in the Sea of Marmara. Turkish rescue teams responded swiftly, but two crewmembers were found deceased.
Turkey’s General Directorate of Coastal Safety swiftly responded to a fire on a small coastal RoRo vessel off the Black Sea coast. The vessel, named Ariburnu and built in 1944, was transporting vehicles and equipment from Istanbul to Zonguldak. Efforts are ongoing to cool the elderly vessel, currently adrift off the coast of Sile.
The EUNAVFOR has expressed concerns about the Turkish shipping company, Arkas Line, for refusing vessel inspections by the EU operation. The Turkish-registered containership, Matilde A, declined inspection on September 8, sparking a standoff. Turkey, not an EU member, criticized the operation as intrusive. Despite efforts, Arkas Line has a history of denying inspection requests.
The Turkish parliament approved a carbon pricing mechanism for the shipping sector, taxing emissions released at Turkish seaports. This aligns with the country’s ETS plans to regulate CO2 emissions. With a focus on EU trade relations, Turkey aims to harmonize maritime trade and prevent trade diversion. The move reflects Turkey’s commitment to environmental sustainability and global carbon pricing standards.
Turkey’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety reported a temporary suspension of traffic on the Dardanelles Strait due to an engine room fire on the bulker AK Discovery. The vessel, registered in Barbados and coming from Egypt, was safely towed to anchorage after the fire was extinguished. Investigation into the fire’s origins is ongoing.
