Despite the sharp increase in navigation risks against the background of the Russia-Ukraine war in the Black Sea, a total of 40,218 commercial vessels passed through Turkey’s Bosphorus (Istanbul) and Dardanelles straits in January–June 2026.
Sea-news.az reports that the Turkish Straits, a strategic hub for global maritime logistics, continue to ensure the continuity of international cargo transportation despite military tensions.
The maritime administration’s analysis emphasizes that against the background of obstacles to ship navigation in the Strait of Hormuz due to the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East and the reshaping of global maritime routes, the transit importance of the Istanbul and Dardanelles straits has been proven once again.
Navigation statistics by straits:
- Istanbul Strait (Bosphorus): 19,277 vessels
- Dardanelles Strait: 20,941 vessels
General cargo ships predominated in the breakdown of marine vehicles in transit through the straits according to their types. During the half-year, a total of 13,127 general cargo ships used both straits.
For comparison, let’s note that in the corresponding period of 2025, a total of 40,988 maritime transport vehicles (19,381 through Istanbul, 21,607 through the Dardanelles) had passed through the Istanbul and Dardanelles straits. These indicators show that despite tensions in global shipping, the intensity of transit maritime traffic in the straits has remained stable.
