Turkey's revenues from transit through the Bosphorus may fall five times due to Ukrainian Armed Forces attacks in the Black Sea

Turkey's income from the transit of ships through the Bosphorus may decrease five times due to attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) on ships in the Black Sea. This development of events was predicted by the head of the board of directors of Transbosphor Denizcilik, captain Mustafa Can, as quoted by RIA Novosti.

According to the expert, 90 percent of the anchorages in the Sea of ​​Marmara are already full due to ships that cannot pass into the Black Sea. This situation could create an environmental disaster due to possible leaks from tankers.

“Previously, an average of 200 ships transited through the Bosphorus every day, now only 30-40. The Black Sea is virtually empty. Turkey's revenues from the Bosphorus exceeded $800 million and were approaching $1 billion. We predict that due to this crisis, revenues will drop to $200 million and will only be enough to cover expenses,” Can calculated.

Over four months, Ukraine knocked out at least 206 ships, of which 40 were Turkish-owned or sailed under the Turkish flag. If the crisis continues for another three to four months, the entire Turkish river fleet will disappear and be scrapped, the captain admitted.

Since July, the Turkish authorities have raised the cost of transit of ships through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits to $6.7 per ton (plus 15 percent).