Turkey is increasing the fee for ships passing through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles by 15 per cent

From 1 July 2026, Turkey is increasing the transit fee for vessels passing through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits to $6.7 per net tonne. This was reported by the Centre for Transport Strategies (CTS), citing a letter from Turkey’s General Directorate of Maritime Affairs.

The new tariffs apply to vessels transiting without calling at Turkish ports and will remain in force until 30 June 2027.

The increase amounts to approximately 14.9 per cent, which effectively corresponds to the planned annual 15 per cent indexation.

From 1983 to 2022, the fee for passage through the straits remained unchanged at $0.80 per net tonne. However, in accordance with a decree by the President of Turkey, from 2022 the fee will be updated annually on 1 July.

The fee rate has changed over recent years as follows:

• 2022–2023 — $4.08
• 2023–2024 — $4.42
• 2024–2025 — $5.07
• 2025–2026 — $5.83 (a 15 per cent increase)
• From 1 July 2026 — $6.7

As reported by GMK Center, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) is increasing additional charges for most types of vessels from 15 July. For loaded tankers carrying crude oil and petroleum products, the charge will rise from 25% to 37%. In the gas carrier and chemical tanker segment, the surcharge for carriers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and chemicals will rise from 20% to 32%, whilst for liquefied natural gas (LNG) it will increase from 7% to 19%. The biggest increase will affect bulk carriers, for which the fees for the passage of dry bulk cargoes will more than double — from 10% to 22%.