Highest level security alert for Turkish ships in the Strait of Hormuz

Following rising tensions in the Middle East, the latest developments from the Strait of Hormuz have put the Turkish maritime sector on alert. The Directorate General of Maritime Affairs, under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, has issued an official warning due to radio broadcasts indicating that Iran has halted ship transits through the strait.

Information has been received that radio broadcasts are being made stating that Iran has prohibited ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz; the ISPS Code Security Level for Turkish-flagged vessels in the region is 3. It is important to follow navigation notices in the region and to contact the AAKKM if necessary.

— DENİZCİLİK GENEL MÜDÜRLÜĞÜ (@denizcilikgm) March 1, 2026

For the safety of Turkish commercial vessels navigating the region, the highest level of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, Level 3, has been implemented. At this level, which corresponds to a red alert, extraordinary measures must be taken at ships and port facilities. Turkish-flagged vessels have been ordered to implement measures such as keeping all entries and exits under control, activating emergency protocols, and making emergency route changes when necessary.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical transit points in the world for oil and natural gas trade. This rising risk in the region has brought the possibility of armed conflict and the risk of intervention against commercial vessels to the agenda.

Turkish mariners, particularly captains, have been instructed to continuously monitor current navigation notices and to immediately contact the Ankara-based Main Search and Rescue Coordination Center (AAKKM) in case of suspicious situations or when facing an extraordinary threat. During times of crisis, the AAKKM will be operational around the clock, and if necessary, rapid contact will be established with military and diplomatic institutions.

According to statements from officials, following the Iran-sourced broadcasts made over radio frequencies in the region, Turkish mariners operating in the area are requested to exercise maximum attention and caution. This high security level, adopted in the face of potential provocations or threats, has been implemented to ensure the security of commercial flow.

News Source: 12punto