Almost all Turkish maritime services and port services at Istanbul have been disrupted as stormy seas have stopped the movement of ships and barges completely.
Speaking to Bunkerworld today, Energy Petrol Shipping Trade and Industry Inc. director Mustafa Muhtaroglu said that “no bunkering is possible today.”
“Since Istanbul accounts for almost 100% of all bunkering in Turkey, it is safe to say that all Turkish bunkering services have been temporarily suspended,” said Muhtaroglu.
According to Muhtaroglu, up to 200 ships were stuck at Istanbul's anchorage this Monday due to the weather conditions which are not expected to ease today.
The Turkish port of Istanbul is located south-east of the Black Sea, which has seen severe weather over the past few days.
A Russian tanker broke up in stormy seas this weekend, spilling up to 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil into the Strait of Kerch linking the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Reports say that up to 10 vessels, including tankers, barges and freighters have also sunk or run aground in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.