Tanker with steering malfunction safely anchored in Istanbul Strait

A 114-meter-long tanker named “NAZAN,” en route from Russia to Kocaeli, experienced a steering malfunction near Kandilli in the Istanbul Strait, prompting immediate rescue efforts by the Directorate General of Coastal Safety.

Following the incident, the “NAZAN” was escorted to the Ahırkapı Anchorage Area under the coordination of the Istanbul Vessel Traffic Services Center. The rescue operation involved the deployment of the Kurtarma-7 and Kurtarma-9 tugboats, with a pilot on board to ensure safe navigation.

In a statement, the Directorate General of Coastal Safety said, “The tanker ‘NAZAN’ was safely anchored at Ahırkapı Anchorage Area under the coordination of our Istanbul Vessel Traffic Services Center, with the assistance of Kurtarma-7 and towing by Kurtarma-9.”

The malfunction temporarily halted vessel traffic in the Istanbul Strait in both directions. The strait, a critical international waterway, frequently witnesses such interventions to maintain safety and operational flow.

The incident highlights the importance of swift response mechanisms in ensuring the secure passage of ships through one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.