6,000-Ton Chemical Tanker Drifts Toward Istanbul’s Historic Shoreline
A Malta-flagged vessel carrying 6,000 tons of vegetable oil lost power in the Bosphorus Strait.
A Malta-flagged chemical tanker, the IVYAN, suffered an engine failure on October 11 while navigating the Bosphorus Strait. The 100-meter vessel was transporting 6,000 tons of vegetable oil from Bulgaria’s Port of Varna to Italy’s Port of Monopoli when the incident occurred.
The breakdown caused the tanker to drift uncontrollably toward the Kanlica shoreline, threatening the historic waterfront area and the Kanlica Ferry Pier. Crew members prevented a collision by dropping anchors, bringing the vessel to a stop before it reached land. The Directorate General of Coastal Safety (DGCS) responded immediately, halting all ship traffic in the strait and dispatching two rescue boats—Kurtarma-7 and Kurtarma-11—along with the life-saving vessel Tahlisiye-9. The tanker was later towed to the Kucukcekmece Anchorage, where it was safely secured.
The Bosphorus Strait, linking the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, is one of the world’s busiest and most hazardous maritime passages. Despite its narrow width, the strait accommodates heavy traffic, including tankers, cargo ships, and ferries. Strong currents and sharp bends along the coastline create significant challenges for large vessels, particularly when mechanical failures occur. These conditions increase the risk of accidents, as demonstrated by the recent incident involving the IVYAN.
The Bosphorus: A High-Risk Shipping Route: bosphorus strait
No injuries were reported among the crew or offshore personnel following the incident. While the DGCS confirmed the engine failure, the exact cause remains under investigation, with no additional details released about potential mechanical defects or human error. The 6,000-ton cargo of vegetable oil was not compromised, and there have been no reports of leaks or environmental damage.
Ship traffic through the Bosphorus has since resumed, but the event underscores the persistent dangers of navigating large vessels through narrow, high-traffic waterways.
Sign up free to ask CAMAL AI for a summary, the key points or anything else about this story.
Related stories
CAMAL AI
Financial Ports Newsletter
The maritime economy, every morning
Ports, shipping and freight markets in one short email. Free.
