Turkey resumed allowing ships to transit its straits on the way to the Black Sea after unexplained delays for some vessels amid heightened security risks. Crude oil tanker Aegean Dream entered the Dardanelles Strait on Sunday after waiting since Thursday, destined for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in Novorossiysk, Russia, per ship tracking data. Container vessel Mehmet Kahveci A also passed through early Sunday, signaling the same destination. The brief pause in traffic, which affected several vessels, highlighted the sensitivity of maritime routes through Turkish waters.

The resumption follows heightened security concerns in the region, prompting Turkish authorities to tighten monitoring. Officials have not disclosed the exact cause of the delays, but the swift clearance of Aegean Dream and Mehmet Kahveci A suggests a return to normal operations.

Shipping analysts note that the straits remain critical for global energy logistics, with the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in Novorossiysk a key hub. The incident underscores the importance of reliable transit permissions for maintaining supply chain stability.

August 9, 2026 at 12:58 PM UTC marked the return of normal traffic after the temporary hold.