15 июня 2024 — 09:43
The Turkish authorities intend to increase the cost of passage of ships through the Turkish Straits of the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles by almost 15% from July 1, RIA Novosti informs, referring to a statement by the country's Ministry of Transport.
The cost of transit remained unchanged for almost 40 years until 2022, and in July 2023, the cost of transit increased by 8% to $4.42 per franc. The amount is calculated on the basis of the gold franc since the signing of the Montreux Convention in 1936, which regulates navigation in the Straits zone.
"From July 1, we will increase the prices for the transit of ships through the Turkish Straits, one franc will cost $ 5.07," Habertürk TV channel quotes the ministry's statement.
"If by 2022 a cargo ship of 10 thousand tons paid us a total of 3,240 dollars for transit, then from July 1, taking into account the new transit tariffs, we will have to pay 20 thousand 370 dollars. Thus, we will ensure the inflow of currency to the budget," said Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu.
The Montreux Convention was adopted in 1936. It preserves the freedom of movement of merchant ships through the Straits in peacetime and wartime, but establishes different navigation regimes. At the same time, the document limits the stay of warships of non-Black Sea states in the Black Sea to three weeks. In emergency situations, Turkey may prohibit or restrict the passage of military personnel through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. According to the treaty, Turkey has the right to charge for lighthouses, evacuation and medical services from ships passing through the straits.