Marine traffic through the Bosphorus was temporarily halted on Wednesday due to the passage of a ship-saving tugboat, which is departing from Haydarpaşa Port.

The General Directorate of Coastal Safety announced that the tugboat, towing a floating dock named PD-392, has a total length of 392 meters.

“The ship-saving tugboat departing from Haydarpaşa Port will be making its passage with a floating dock in tow, resulting in a total spare length of 30 meters. Consequently, transit ship traffic has been suspended in both directions,” the directorate explained in a statement.

Authorities have warned all shipowners and captains to exercise caution due to the heavy ship traffic in the Bosphorus. Measures are being implemented to restore normal ship traffic following the tugboat's passage.

Ship traffic is expected to resume once the operation is completed. (ILKHA)