Turkey restricts the passage of commercial vessels into the Black Sea

Turkey is restricting the passage of commercial vessels into the Black Sea amid the country's government's growing concerns over the increasing attacks by Russia and Ukraine on ships in the region.

This was reported by Bloomberg, citing sources.

According to the agency, Turkey's General Directorate of Coastal Safety has notified several vessels heading to Novorossiysk — one of the key centers for oil and grain exports — that permits for the passage of such vessels are currently either not being issued, or that the review of applications for transit through the Dardanelles Strait requires additional time.

At the same time, the exact duration of the restrictions and their scope have not yet been specified.