Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu: 37,128 ships provided with pilotage services in the Turkish Straits in 9 months

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that the Coastal Safety teams, which carry out significant work for navigation safety at sea as well as the safety of life, property, and the environment, rescued 861 people in 200 search and rescue operations in 2024, adding, "In 9 months, 37,128 ships were provided with pilotage services in the Turkish Straits."

Underlining that they continue to strengthen the fleet of the General Directorate of Coastal Safety (KEGM), Uraloğlu pointed to the steps taken to produce 4 tugboats and 6 pilot boats domestically in Turkish shipyards. Uraloğlu remarked, "With a fleet of 100 vessels modernized with domestic and national software and technologies, and a staff of over 2,000 experienced personnel, we ensure navigation safety 24/7 in the Blue Homeland, primarily in the Turkish Straits."

Providing information about the rescue operations carried out by Coastal Safety teams in the Bosphorus and Dardanelles in the first 9 months of 2024, which contribute significantly to increasing navigation safety and the security of life, property, and the environment at sea, Uraloğlu reported that 861 people were rescued in 200 search and rescue operations during this period.

19 SHIP RESCUE OPERATIONS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED

Explaining that they successfully carried out 19 ship rescue operations in the same period, thereby ensuring increased navigation safety and the security of life, property, and the environment at sea, Uraloğlu continued:

"We also provide escort services, especially in areas with heavy maritime traffic, to ensure that ships pass safely. In the January-September 2024 period, escort services were provided to 8,595 ships to ensure immediate intervention in case of a possible breakdown or emergency to increase navigation safety. Within the scope of port tugboat services provided to assist ships in maneuvering in ports and narrow waters, we carried out 4,963 operations."

Touching upon the pilotage services provided in the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, Uraloğlu stated, "In 9 months, we provided pilotage services to 19,263 ships, which constitutes 61.8 percent of the 31,161 ships passing through the Bosphorus. As for the Dardanelles, 51.6 percent of the 34,646 ships passing through, meaning 17,865 ships, were managed by our pilot captains. In 9 months, 37,128 ships were provided with pilotage services in the Turkish Straits."

News Source: 12punto