9,195 ships crossed the Bosphorus in the first quarter, Anadolu says
Anadolu reports that 9,195 ships transited the Bosphorus in the first quarter of 2026. Tankers carrying hazardous cargo accounted for a notable share of total traffic. The figures underline the straits' critical role in global trade and energy flows.
Data compiled by Anadolu show that a total of 9,195 ships crossed the Bosphorus in the first quarter of 2026. A significant portion of those crossings were tankers tied to global oil and natural gas shipments. Compared with the same period last year, the increase in traffic was modest.
Figures from Turkey's Ministry of Transport indicate that more than 60% of vessels requested pilotage services. Coastguard teams are watching the impact of Hormuz congestion, caused by the Iran war, on Eastern Mediterranean routes. Mandatory pilotage recommendations and speed limits set under the Strait Regulation remain key tools for preventing accidents.
Turkey treats the safe operation of the straits as a priority national security issue, given the Black Sea grain corridor and energy exports. According to Anadolu, officials are weighing additional monitoring systems to reduce environmental risk. Investors will track how any new maritime measures affect logistics costs in coming quarters.
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