According to the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs, a total of 40,218 ships passed through the Bosphorus (Istanbul Strait) and the Dardanelles (Canakkale Strait) in the first six months of 2026. Despite the security risk in the Black Sea, traffic was only slightly below last year.
The first half in numbers
| January–June 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Total transits | 40,218 |
| Bosphorus | 19,277 |
| Dardanelles | 20,941 |
| Ships taking a pilot (both straits) | 24,260 |
| Total gross tonnage | 767.5 million GT |
| H1 2025 | 40,988 (770 fewer ships in 2026) |
By ship type
- General cargo ships: 13,127
- Bulk carriers: 7,777
- Container ships: 5,188
More than a third of transits were general cargo ships, showing that a large share of trade between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean is carried by mid-sized vessels.
Why is the Dardanelles figure higher?
Not every ship passing the Dardanelles uses the Bosphorus. Ships calling at Marmara ports (e.g. Ambarli, Gemlik, Derince) pass only through the Dardanelles, so the Dardanelles figure is usually higher.
Pilotage and safety
Taking a pilot in the Turkish Straits is recommended under the regulations; confirm the rule that applies to your vessel with your agent. In the first half, 24,260 ships took a pilot across both straits, more than half of all transits.
Before entering the straits, ships send a sailing plan report called SP-1 to Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). See our SP-1 page for details.
The transit fee also rose
The fee charged to ships passing without calling at a Turkish port rose to $6.70 per net ton on 1 July 2026. See our Turkish Straits transit fee 2026 article for details.
Frequently asked questions
How many ships pass through the Turkish Straits each year?
40,218 ships passed in the first half of 2026. The annual total will be clear once second-half data is published.
Is taking a pilot compulsory?
For passage without calling at a port, taking a pilot is recommended under the regulations, and more than half of the ships in the first half did so. Confirm the rule for your vessel’s length and cargo with your agent.
Sources
- CNN Türk: 40,218 ships passed through the Turkish Straits in six months (in Turkish)
- TRT Haber: 40,000 ships passed through the Istanbul and Canakkale straits in six months (in Turkish)
- Bengütürk: More than 40,000 ships passed through the Turkish Straits in the first six months (in Turkish)
This article is based on sources published up to 26 October 2026.