This is an update relating to a recent increasing trend in our area where vessels anchoring at the border/ outside the designated anchorage zones encounter delays and/or claims due to a potential entanglement with subsea infrastructure such as underwater pipelines or communication cables.
On May 7th 2025, a letter on the matter was issued by Directorate General of Maritime Affairs and sent to various maritime organizations in Turkey.
The letter instructs the agents to inform Masters prior to anchoring operations at the Istanbul Southern Entrance Anchorage Areas and the anchorage zones under the authority of the Ambarli Regional Port Authority that anchoring operations should be conducted inside the designated anchorage zones, otherwise, measures such as assignment of an escort tug or underwater inspections at the expense of vessel interests may be undertaken; in addition, administrative sanctions may be imposed in cases where a vessel anchors outside of the designated zones.
On the basis of the above, and to avoid any delays to vessel’s schedule, Shipowners should be notified to conduct anchoring operations inside the designated anchorage zones.
To draw Shipowners attention also, that due to the length of the anchor chain and changes in wind direction after anchoring, the vessel’s swinging circle may cross the area where underwater cables or pipelines are located even though the anchor itself is at a safe distance away from those when anchored; this could also be deemed risky by the local Harbour Master and result in potential demands and delays to the vessel.
It should be noted that the Harbour Master may decide to proceed with initiating an administrative investigation for these incidents as per Article 40(1) of Ports Regulation in Turkey, where statements of the Master, Chief Engineer and Officer on Watch is taken, which necessitates appointment of lawyers for related procedures, and submission of incident-related documents/materials including the Vessel Data Recorder (VDR) is requested. Lastly, as indicated in the letter, the Harbour Master may also proceed with issuance of a modest administrative fine against vessel interests for violating relevant provisions of Ports Regulation on anchoring.