Ship traffic suspended in both directions on Istanbul Strait for Osman Gazi passage

Ship traffic on the Istanbul Strait has been suspended in both directions to allow the passage of the Osman Gazi platform.

The crossing is expected to take approximately 11 hours, with the platform scheduled to dock at Filyos Port on June 1, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The platform will depart from Ahırkapı Iron Anchorage at 11:00 and is planned to be in front of Dolmabahçe Palace by the afternoon.

The departure from Dolmabahçe Palace to the Black Sea will be marked by a send-off ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar.

The Osman Gazi platform’s transit is set to last around 11 hours, aiming for arrival at Filyos Port on 1 June.

Osman Gazi to begin operations in 2026

The platform will double natural gas production at the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea, with operations commencing one year from now.

Osman Gazi has a maximum natural gas processing capacity of 10.5 million cubic metres and a maximum gas transfer capacity of 10 million cubic metres.

Measuring 298.5 metres in length, 56 metres in width, and 29.5 metres in depth, the platform can accommodate up to 140 personnel.

A 161-kilometre main gas transmission pipeline will connect the platform to the mainland. The processed gas will be delivered via this pipeline, ready for distribution to the national grid.

Once operational by mid-next year, the floating production platform is expected to double the existing daily natural gas output in the Black Sea to 20 million cubic metres.

By Aghakazim Guliyev