[Watch] Massive Oil Tanker Escapes from Disaster, Traffic Halted

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Maritime traffic halted in Bosphorus Strait after massive oil tanker narrowly averts disaster, reports Newsweek.

What happened?

Turkey’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety (KEGM) suspended maritime traffic in the Bosphorus Strait on Friday when a large oil vessel veered off course, triggering a rescue operation.

Mechanical failure

The tanker was carrying 249 meters of crude oil when a mechanical failure caused it to get dragged as it made its way back to the Yenikoy district of Istanbul, according to the Directorate General. KEGM sent two tugboats and successfully intervened.

“Our rescue 8 tugboat and KEGM 5 fast rescue boat were also urgently directed to the tanker, which was stopped 300 meters before the beach. Istanbul Strait traffic has been suspended,” KEGM tweeted Friday afternoon.

Major disaster stopped

The state-owned shipping authority provided updates on its rescue mission throughout the day. No damage was reported.

The incident sparked concerns that the shipping world would see a sequel to March’s Suez Canal blockage, a major disaster that stopped global trade along the route for six days and disrupted the economy on an international scale.

Route for 12% global trade

The waterway is responsible for the transportation of about 12 percent of global trade, roughly one million barrels of oil and about 8 percent of liquefied natural gas each day, according to the World Economic Forum.

Recent Suez Canal blockage

The accident has resulted in millions in legal repercussions for the multinational conglomerate responsible for the Ever Given, the container ship that became wedged between the banks of the Suez Canal. The ship is currently being held, with support from an Egyptian court, by the Suez Canal Authority until it receives the $916 million it says it is owed for salvage costs and damages.

For more information read our article Suez Canal Won’t Release Ever Given Till Compensation

Internationally significant maritime passage

The Bosphorus Strait, or the Strait of Istanbul, is one of the most internationally significant maritime passages in the world, particularly for oil transportation. The 19-mile waterway links the Black Sea to the world’s oceans and is also essential to the local fishing industry.

KEGM’s rescue operation took eight tugboats and five smaller vessels to prevent another global shipping standstill. Traffic was still suspended as of 3 p.m. Friday as the tanker was brought to safety.

“The tanker named RAVA is being pulled to the anchorage area by taking its anchor as of 20.46, accompanied by our SALVAGE 8 and SALT 11 tugboats,” KEGM said on Twitter.

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Source: NewsWeek