Türkiye to raise transit fees for Bosphorus and Dardanelles passages

Turkish authorities will increase fees for ships passing through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits by 15% starting July 1, as part of an annual tariff revision, according to broadcaster NTV.

The transit fee will rise to $6.7 per ton, up from $5.83 per ton previously. The charges are calculated based on vessel tonnage under the 1936 Montreux Convention, which regulates maritime traffic through the straits.

Since 2022, Türkiye has been raising transit tariffs annually. Before that, the fee stood at just $0.8 per ton.

According to Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport, more than 40,000 vessels passed through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles in 2025. On average, fees per ship range between $15,000 and $30,000. Revenues are mainly used to fund coastal services, including rescue operations, medical support, and response to maritime accidents.

By Jeyhun Aghazada