Turkey Restricts Black Sea Shipping After Vessel Attacks

The Government of Turkey has begun restricting commercial ship traffic entering the Black Sea via the Dardanelles Strait. This decision follows a surge in attacks by Russian and Ukrainian forces on maritime vessels, including those owned by Turkey.

The Directorate General of Coastal Safety has informed multiple ships bound for Novorossiysk, Russia, that transit permits are currently unavailable or require extended review. Some reports indicate these restrictions also apply to vessels heading toward Ukraine. These measures complicate global trade and oil flows, contributing to a spike in wheat prices that hit a two-year high in July.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey urged warring parties to implement concrete measures to ensure navigational safety. The ministry warned that continued escalation in the region could severely damage global food security.