Turkey has resumed ship transits through the Turkish Straits, comprising the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, following a period of delays. These straits are among the world's most vital maritime chokepoints, connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and are crucial for global trade. Blockage or closure of these narrow waterways can severely disrupt global trade, a situation that has been exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The smooth passage through these straits is particularly important for Ukrainian agricultural exports, over 90% of which relied on sea ports before the war, and for Russian and Kazakh oil.
The delays and potential for disruption are a chronic feature of the Turkish Straits. Physical constraints mean that large tankers cannot easily pass each other, leading to traffic management in directional flows and often requiring daylight-only, one-way arrangements for larger vessels. Turkish authorities frequently impose restrictions, including night transit bans for large or hazardous cargo ships, and suspend traffic in poor visibility, high winds, or strong currents. These operational controls, rather than outright closures, are the primary way the flow of oil and other goods is often slowed, contributing to queues and unpredictable transit times, especially for Russian and Kazakh oil since the tightening of Western sanctions in 2022.
Adding to the operational complexities, Turkey has recently increased transit fees for vessels using the straits. As of July 1, 2026, the transit fee will be raised to $6.70 per net ton, an increase from $5.83 in 2025. This fee, calculated under the 1936 Montreux Convention in "gold francs" and updated annually, is expected to generate significant revenue for Turkey. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that Turkey anticipates collecting $254 million from strait passages between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. This increase in fees, along with the management of transits under the Montreux Convention, underscores Turkey's role as the critical gatekeeper of the Black Sea.
