Traffic Through Istanbul Strait Falls in First Half of 2025

By
Mfame Editor
-
14

  • Cargo Volumes Drop Compared to the Previous Year.
  • General Cargo Ships Lead Vessel Passages.
  • Chemical Tanker and Warship Activity Recorded.

The Istanbul Strait continued to be one of the busiest waterways in the world during the first half of 2025, although there was a noticeable dip in vessel activity compared to the previous year. According to official data from Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, a total of 19,381 vessels transported 291.78 million gross tons of cargo from January to June. This figure is down from the same timeframe in 2024, when 20,780 ships moved 368.38 million gross tons. Looking back at earlier years, the strait managed 19,338 ships and 305.95 million gross tons in 2023, and 17,035 ships carrying 267.76 million gross tons in 2022, reports Marine Insight.

Breakdown by Ship Type

General cargo ships led with 7,232 passages, followed by:

  1. 3,479 bulk carriers
  2. 2,991 tankers (unspecified type)
  3. 1,990 container ships
  4. 1,350 chemical tankers (648 in Q1, 702 in Q2)
  5. 355 LPG carriers
  6. 163 Ro-Ro vessels
  7. 483 barges
  8. 274 livestock carriers
  9. 17 cement carriers
  10. 335 passenger ships
  11. 2 refrigerated vessels
  12. 103 tugboats
  13. 55 vehicle carriers
  14. 531 vessels of other types

Additionally, 21 warships were recorded, all during the second quarter.

Safety and Pilotage Services

To help ensure safer navigation through the narrow and bustling channel, pilotage services were offered to 11,746 vessels during the reporting period.

Vessel Sizes

The ships that passed through the strait varied greatly in size. A total of forty-six vessels were over 300 meters long, while 855 measured between 250 and 300 meters. Additionally, 1,120 vessels fell between 200 and 250 meters, 5,045 were between 150 and 200 meters, and 7,190 ranged from 100 to 150 meters. In total, 5,125 ships were under 100 meters in length. On average, 107 vessels made their way across the strait each day during the first half of 2025.

Monthly Traffic Trends

  1. January: 3,333 ships, 50.58m GT
  2. February: 2,737 ships, 42.19m GT (lowest)
  3. March: 3,281 ships, 48.39m GT
  4. April: 3,229 ships, 47.14m GT
  5. May: 3,463 ships, 51.70m GT
  6. June: 3,338 ships, 51.78m GT (highest)

Strategic Importance

Even though there has been a drop in both the number of vessels and cargo tonnage compared to last year, the Istanbul Strait remains a key player in global maritime trade. Its strategic location ensures that thousands of cargo, tanker, passenger, and naval ships continue to depend on this essential waterway every year.

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Source: Marine Insight