Turkish Straits Transit Agency

As Heisenberg Shipping, we provide full Transit Strait Agency service to our customers at Bosphorus Strait. Since our main segment is dry bulk vessels, our transit passage agency service covers dry bulk vessels up to 300M LOA.

Bosphorus Strait is located in the city of Istanbul which is the largest city of Turkey. Due to its geographical location, Bosphorus Strait is the only way to reach Black Sea from East Mediterranean or from East Mediterranean to Black Sea. This makes the Strait very busy and waiting times can go up to a week.

Heisenberg Shipping, thanks to its close relations with local authorities, makes sure that you vessel’s waiting time to be kept at minimum.

Dardanelles Strait is the South entrance of the Marmara Sea. This is the point where the Mediterranean Sea links to the Black Sea via Marmara. Dardanelles Strait is in Çanakkale city. As Heisenberg Shipping, we provide full transit passage agency service for dry bulk vessels entering or leaving the Black Sea via Dardanelles Strait.

The same LOA regulation of Heisenberg Shipping also applies here. We safely assist the smooth passage of dry bulk vessels up to 300M LOA at Dardanelles.

For Dardanelles passage, shipowners mostly prefer the Ships Supply or Crew Change operations to be handled in Bosphorus since it is an easy access point for them. In some cases where Bosphorus waiting times are less, we suggest our customers use Dardanelles for such Husbandry Services.

In summary, Heisenberg Shipping’s Transit Strait Agency is your dependable partner for efficient and trustworthy passage through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. The Turkish Straits are key passageways for ships traveling between Aegean and Black Sea. They are open to all commercial ships as long as the requirements of the Turkish Government and respected authorities are met. The passages through Turkish Straits are controlled by VTS (Vessel Traffic System) in Turkey.

Committed to customer satisfaction, our agency offers a comprehensive suite of services and additional solutions to guarantee a seamless and trouble-free transit experience. From swift spare parts delivery to expert guidance, we prioritize your requirements and continually strive to deliver exceptional service.

Navigating the intricate Turkish straits can be challenging, but with Heisenberg Shipping’s extensive expertise and unwavering support, you can rest assured that your transit will be managed with the utmost professionalism. Whether you need passage through the Bosphorus or Dardanelles, our agency is fully equipped to cater to your needs and ensure a smooth voyage.

Opt for Heisenberg Shipping’s Transit Strait Agency to enjoy a reliable and efficient passage through the Turkish straits. Contact us today to discover more about our services and how we can be of assistance to you.

Explore the interactive map, specifically designed to monitor wind conditions at the crucial maritime gateways of the Istanbul Strait and Canakkale Strait. This powerful tool is an indispensable resource for mariners, providing a detailed and real-time glimpse into the ever-changing wind patterns that significantly influence navigation through these strategic waterways.

The Head of Vessel Traffic and Pilotage Services is an important part of Turkey’s General Directorate of Coastal Safety. This department is in charge of managing the Turkish Straits Vessel Traffic Services (TSVTS). It also provides Pilotage Services in Turkish waters.

The main goal of the TSVTS is to improve maritime safety. It also aims to protect the marine environment and manage vessel traffic in the Turkish Straits. This vital waterway includes the Istanbul Strait (Bosphorus), the Sea of Marmara, and the Çanakkale (Dardanelles) Strait.

Stretching over 164 nautical miles, the Turkish Straits connect the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea. The area has many challenges. There is heavy traffic, narrow channels, strong currents, and sharp turns. Ships carrying dangerous cargo are also present.

Key Responsibilities and Services:

• Vessel Traffic Services (VTS): Continuous, 24/7 monitoring and management of maritime traffic using advanced technology (radar, CCTV, AIS, etc.).
• Information Service: Supplying data on traffic, vessel positions, navigational warnings, and hydro-meteorological conditions.
• Navigational Assistance Service: Offering guidance during challenging conditions or upon master’s request.
• Traffic Organization Service: Managing vessel navigation plans, strait entry permissions, and overall traffic flow according to the Turkish Straits Maritime Traffic Scheme.
• Responding to accidents, minimizing pollution, and coordinating with relevant organizations during emergencies.
• Ensuring compliance with national and international maritime regulations, including the Montreux Convention and IMO recommendations.
• Pilotage Services (added in 2010, leading to the current department title): Providing expert pilotage for vessels transiting the Turkish Straits, entering/leaving ports (Istanbul, Çanakkale, Gelibolu, Izmir), berthing, anchoring, and maneuvering within designated areas.
• Ensuring the safe navigation of vessels to protect life, property, and the environment.

The TSVTS is recognized as one of the largest and most advanced VTS systems globally. The department plays a crucial role in international maritime safety, actively participating in bodies like the IALA VTS Committee. Its efforts have significantly improved navigational safety and traffic efficiency in one of the world’s most critical waterways.

The Turkish Straits, the Istanbul Strait (Bosphorus), and the Çanakkale Strait (Dardanelles), connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean via the Sea of Marmara. These straits are naturally formed straits with tight passage ways for the ships. These straits serve as a primary transit route for bulk carriers, tankers, LNG vessels, container ships, and general cargo vessels operating between Europe, Asia, and the Black Sea region.

Understanding statistics of the transit patterns is essential for shipowners, charterers, and operators. Vessel traffic volume directly influences voyage planning, risk exposure, waiting time calculations, traffic congestion forecasting, pilotage planning, and chartering strategy. Historical data provides operational insight into how the system behaves under varying global economic conditions.

Below is a long-term overview of annual vessel passages through both straits between 2006 and 2025 for Istanbul Strait and Canakkale Strait.

The Bosphorus recorded its highest transit volume in 2007 with 56,606 vessels, following 54,880 vessels in 2006. After this peak, a structural decline began. Traffic fell to 54,396 in 2008 and 51,422 in 2009, continuing downward through the next decade. By 2014, annual passages had decreased to 45,529, and by 2019 they stabilized around 41,000 vessels.

Pandemic-related slowdowns pushed figures lower between 2020 and 2022, reaching 35,146 vessels in 2022. Recovery began in 2023 with 39,000 transits, increasing to 41,363 in 2024 and slightly moderating to 40,172 in 2025.

Despite the long-term decline from the 2007 peak, the Bosphorus consistently handles 35,000–40,000 vessels annually, maintaining its status as one of the busiest natural waterways globally.

Traffic peaked in 2007 with 49,913 vessels, following 48,915 in 2006. Unlike the Bosphorus, the Dardanelles experienced a more moderate and stable adjustment over time. Between 2010 and 2019, annual passages generally fluctuated between 43,000 and 46,000 vessels.

During the pandemic period, volumes declined to 42,036 in 2020 and 42,340 in 2022. A strong rebound followed, with 44,892 vessels in 2023 and 45,849 in 2024, before easing slightly to 44,468 in 2025.

Overall, the Dardanelles has demonstrated greater stability than the Bosphorus, consistently managing between 42,000 and 46,000 vessels per year over the past two decades.

When the Istanbul and Çanakkale Straits are evaluated together, annual vessel movements have historically ranged between approximately 80,000 and 100,000 transits, confirming the Turkish Straits as one of the busiest natural straits in the world. This sustained traffic density requires continuous sequencing and coordination, particularly for deep draft vessels, LNG carriers, tankers, and large bulk carriers navigating under structured Traffic Separation Scheme rules.