Turkey restricts Black Sea Ship traffic after surge in attacks

Turkey is restricting commercial ship traffic in the Black Sea after a rise in attacks by Russian and Ukrainian forces, according to sources familiar with the situation. The Directorate General of Coastal Safety has informed several ships headed to Russia's Novorossiysk, a major oil and grain export port, that they will not be issued transit permits or may require additional review through the Dardanelles Strait.

No reason has been given for this move, which has not been publicly disclosed. The decision has effectively curtailed vessel traffic into the Black Sea region, where a spike in attacks on shipping, including Turkish-owned vessels, has prompted calls for enhanced security from Ankara. The Foreign Ministry recently reiterated its plea for all parties involved, particularly the conflicting forces, to swiftly implement measures to ensure maritime safety in the Black Sea, warning that any escalation would have "multifaceted negative consequences," including impacts on food security.

Some vessels have been notified that the restriction also applies to those heading to Ukraine. This action could complicate global trade at a time when oil shipments are already being disrupted by the Iran conflict and reduced volumes in the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing Russian and Ukrainian assaults on the Black Sea grain area have raised worries about grain supplies, leading to wheat prices reaching a two-year high in July.

As of 1 p.m. local time, ships destined for Bulgarian or Turkish ports were still traveling north through the Dardanelles, according to ship-tracking data from Bloomberg.