Turkey shut the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits because of fog, temporarily closing a key export route for Russian and Caspian crude oil. Both straits, on opposite ends of the Sea of Marmara, have been closed to tanker traffic since yesterday, shipping center officials said by telephone. The Bosporus, which bisects Istanbul, was open to northbound traffic to the Black Sea briefly yesterday, before being completely shut at 7 p.m. local time, according to an Istanbul- based official, who declined to be identified. It was unclear when it would open, he said. The Dardanelles have been closed in both directions since early yesterday, according to an official in Canakkale, who also asked not to be identified.
The Bosporus and Dardanelles provide the only maritime access for Black Sea and Caspian countries to the Mediterranean. Delays through the channels reduce the supply of vessels and raise freight costs for refineries.
The Bosporus and Dardanelles provide the only maritime access for Black Sea and Caspian countries to the Mediterranean. Delays through the channels reduce the supply of vessels and raise freight costs for refineries.