Dardanelles Strait temporarily closed after tanker loses speed

Maritime traffic through the Dardanelles Strait was temporarily suspended in both directions after a tanker lost speed in the waterway.

The 274-metre-long tanker Zephyr Prosper, sailing under the Barbadian flag from Russia to Türkiye's Izmit, slowed near Eceabat due to strong currents, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media. 

The vessel’s captain alerted the strait’s traffic control authorities, prompting the deployment of Coast Guard tugboats “Kurtarma-10,” “Kurtarma-18,” and “Kurtarma-20” to assist.

Nearby vessels were warned via radio, and authorities halted two-way traffic through the strait as a precaution while the operation was underway.

The suspension was described as a temporary safety measure, with navigation expected to resume once the tanker is secured and the situation resolved.

By Sabina Mammadli