Note on the Turkish Straits

I. LOCATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STRAITS

Turkish Straits, a unique system of waterways consisting of Istanbul and Çanakkale Straits and the Marmara Sea, have an indisputable strategic importance as the only waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish Straits hold vital importance not only for Türkiye but also for the Black Sea riparian states in terms of their economic and military security. Turkish Straits serve as the only sea route linking the Black Sea to the high seas.

In addition to their strategic importance, Turkish Straits possess a number of other characteristics, which are unparalleled in any other part of the globe.

First, İstanbul Strait, a narrow transportation route twisting and turning around the historical riches of the city, runs right across the metropolis Istanbul, a UNESCO “World Heritage City” with 3000 years of history and more than 15 million inhabitants.

Second, the physical characteristics of Turkish Straits make them one of the most challenging waterways around the world in terms of navigational safety. Strong currents, sharp turns and unpredictable changes in weather conditions in the Straits make it all the more difficult to navigate safely.

In short, it can be said that the Turkish Straits are among the most dangerous and challenging waterways in the world in terms of navigation.

II. MONTREUX CONVENTION

With the Montreux Convention, signed on 20 July 1936, the regime of passage through Turkish Straits were modified in consideration of Türkiye's security, while maintaining the principle of freedom of passage for the merchant vessels. In addition, the Convention regulated also the regime of passage of warships within the framework of specific rules.

Montreux Convention, applying to an area which is of great importance to Türkiye in strategic, political and economic terms is one of the rare multi-lateral agreements still in force since it was signed. Implemented by Türkiye in full transparency and impartiality since 1936, Montreux Convention constitutes a reasonable and applicable balance of interest among all states whether littoral or non-littoral to the Black Sea.

Montreux Convention does not include a regulatory provision that concern safety of life, property, environment and navigation during passage through Turkish Straits. However, navigational safety constitutes an integral part of the freedom of passage stipulated by the Montreux Convention. Therefore, Türkiye has the right to regulate navigational safety under the provisions of international law or generally recognized treaties and conventions. In other words, the principle of “freedom of passage” through Turkish Straits, which are under Türkiye’s jurisdiction, cannot be interpreted to mean “free and unregulated” passage.

III. MARITIME TRAFFIC DENSITY IN THE TURKISH STRAITS

The density in marine traffic around the Turkish Straits has recently reached alarmingly high levels.

In 1936, only 17 vessels on average passed through İstanbul Strait per day, while today that figure stands around 107 vessels on average. In other words, there has been a seven-fold increase in the number of vessels passing through the İstanbul Strait since the signing of the Montreux Convention in 1936.

Furthermore, Istanbul Strait also has a busy local maritime traffic. A large number of fishing boats and private vessels also use this waterway continuously.

In recent years, not only the frequency of vessel traffic has increased but also the size of vessels and the nature of cargoes have drastically changed, as a result of technological developments. A significant portion of the ships passing through the Turkish Straits carry toxic, hazardous and explosive materials (such as crude oil, ammonia, radioactive materials, hazardous wastes). Especially since the 1990s, in parallel with the increase in oil shipped to ports in the Black Sea, the number of ships carrying dangerous goods and oil through the Turkish Straits has multiplied.

Briefly, more hazardous substances are transported through the Turkish Straits today, compared to the pipeline that transports the largest amount of oil. The amount of hazardous materials transported continues to increase every year.

An accident caused by a vessel carrying dangerous cargo in the İstanbul Strait could lead to severe environmental and economic consequences such as marine pollution, ecosystem destruction, harm to human health, fire and explosion risk.

The safety of navigation, life, property and the environment in the Turkish Straits is important not only for Türkiye but for all countries using the Turkish Straits. If accidents caused by vessels carrying dangerous cargoes halt the traffic in the Straits for indefinite periods of time, this would also harm the economic interests of the countries in the region that conduct their trade through the Turkish Straits.

IV. LEGAL REGULATIONS AND OTHER MEASURES

To increase the safety of navigation, life, property and the environment in the Turkish Straits, Türkiye has implemented a series of interrelated measures. These measures are given below under the following titles:

A. Legal Regulations Regarding the Turkish Straits

The Turkish Straits Regulations were the first of these measures. The Straits Regulations came into force on July 1, 1994, and were subsequently revised, based on the experiences gained. A new regulation entered into force on November 6, 1998. Furthermore, an internal implementation instruction was issued in October 2002 for the relevant units on the implementation of the 1998 Regulation, and it was revised based on the experiences gained, before being republished in 2006. The “Maritime Traffic Regulations for the Turkish Straits” came into force upon publication in the Official Gazette on August 15, 2019, annulling the “Regulation on the Turkish Straits”.

B. Traffic Separation Schemes

Another measure introduced by Türkiye to ensure the safety of life, property, navigation and the environment in the Straits is the traffic separation schemes (TSS), which obliges the vessels to abide by during their passage, pursuant to the International Convention for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREG). The Traffic Separation Scheme and Reporting System, which was introduced by Türkiye in 1994, were approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1995, together with some rules.

At the 71st Session of the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO held in May 1999, it was confirmed that the traffic scheme implemented in the Turkish Straits is effective and successful, and contributes to increased safety of navigation and reduced accidents.

C. Turkish Straits Vessel Traffic Services System (TBGTHS-VTS)

Moreover, the radar-assisted Turkish Straits Vessel Traffic Services System (TBGTHS-VTS) became operational on 30 December 2003, as part of the Turkish Government's efforts to take specific physical measures to maximize the safety of navigation, life, property and environment in the Straits. Upon the introduction of this system, the safety of life, property, environment and navigation in the Turkish Straits has been further increased, and maritime traffic has been taken under control more effectively.

V. CONCLUSION

The tanker traffic has reached a level that threatens not only the environmental safety but also the safety of life of millions of our citizens living in and around the Turkish Straits. A tanker accident in Istanbul would cause disasters that one would not even want to imagine.

In this context, ensuring the safety of life, property, navigation and the environment in the Turkish Straits is among the top priorities of our country.

* Based on data from the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.