(MENAFN) On Wednesday, ship traffic in Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait, one of the world's busiest waterways, came to a halt in both directions due to a towing mishap reported by Türkiye's Directorate General of Coastal Safety. The suspension was implemented at 2:00 p.m. local time (1100 GMT), affecting maritime activities in the region.

Reports from a TV channel, citing information from the shipping agency Tribeca, detailed that a tugboat encountered technical difficulties while attempting to tow a ship at the northern entrance of the Bosphorus, near the Black Sea. This malfunction led to a disruption in the towing process, causing congestion in the northern part of the strait and impacting maritime transport operations.

In response to the incident, additional tugboats were promptly dispatched to the area to assist in resolving the situation. Efforts are currently underway to address the towing failure and alleviate the resulting traffic backlog in the strait.

The Bosphorus Strait serves as a critical route for international maritime traffic, connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and facilitating the passage of numerous vessels daily. Incidents such as this underscore the logistical challenges and operational complexities involved in maintaining smooth navigation through this vital waterway. Authorities are actively working to restore normal traffic flow and minimize disruptions to maritime transport in the region.

MENAFN10072024000045015839ID1108427617