The Turkish authorities intend to increase the cost of passage of ships through the Turkish Bosporus and Dardanelles straits by almost 15% from July 1, the country’s Ministry of Transport announced.
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The cost of transit remained unchanged for almost 40 years until 2022, and in July 2023 the cost of transit increased by 8% to $4.42 per franc. The amount has been calculated on the basis of the gold franc since the signing of the Montreux Convention in 1936, which regulates navigation in the straits area.
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“From July 1, we will increase prices for the transit of ships through the Turkish straits; one franc will cost $5.07,” the Habertürk TV channel quotes the ministry’s statement.
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“If until 2022, a cargo ship of 10 thousand tons paid us a total of 3 thousand 240 dollars for transit, then from July 1, taking into account the new tariffs for transit, we will have to pay 20 thousand 370 dollars. Thus, we will ensure an influx of foreign currency into the budget,” – Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu noted.
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The Montreux Convention was adopted in 1936. It preserves freedom of movement for merchant ships through the straits in times of peace and war, but establishes different navigation regimes. At the same time, the document limits the stay of warships of non-Black Sea states in the Black Sea to three weeks. In emergency situations, Türkiye may prohibit or restrict military passage through the Bosporus and Dardanelles. According to the treaty, Turkey has the right to charge fees for lighthouses, evacuation and medical care from ships passing through the straits.
