Statement from İmamoğlu Denizcilik regarding the ship that sank in Silivri

İmamoğlu Denizcilik, the owner of the M/V TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU, which sank after colliding with a tanker named M/T ALSU 18 miles off the coast of Silivri, has issued a statement regarding the accident.

The company stated that, according to initial findings, their vessel was navigating in accordance with regulations and that there were no technical malfunctions that could have caused the accident, arguing that the collision occurred as a result of the navigational maneuvers of the ALSU. The statement noted that prior to the accident, contact was established with the captain of the ALSU via radio, and a warning was issued that the other vessel was entering their navigation path.

The full statement is as follows:

ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE PUBLIC

On September 2, 2026, our Turkish-flagged dry cargo ship, M/V TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU, owned by our company İmamoğlu Denizcilik, was involved in a regrettable maritime accident as a result of a collision with a tanker named M/T ALSU in the Sea of Marmara while en route from İskenderun to Karadeniz Ereğli.

Within the framework of the initial information and navigation records regarding the accident, it is understood that the M/V TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU was continuing its voyage in the navigation lane allocated to it within the Sea of Marmara Traffic Separation Scheme, in accordance with the applicable international navigation and collision prevention regulations, and that there were no technical malfunctions or failures in our ship that could have caused the accident. Our ship had no technical malfunctions that could have affected its navigation or maneuverability prior to the accident. The necessary annual class surveys of our ship have been carried out in accordance with the procedure, and the relevant class and legal certificates are valid.

Before the accident, radio contact was established with the M/T ALSU by the captain of our ship, and the necessary warning was issued by clearly stating that the other vessel was entering our ship's navigation area. Despite this, based on our initial findings, the collision occurred as a result of the navigational maneuvers of the M/T ALSU, and our ship sank shortly thereafter. As a result of the signal sent from our ship's EPIRB device, our public authorities were informed of the incident and took action, and search and rescue operations began immediately. Subsequently, the captain of the ALSU ship also called the public authorities to report the incident.

The search and rescue operations, which were immediately initiated by the relevant public institutions following the accident, are continuing with the participation of all relevant units, primarily the General Directorate of Coastal Safety and the Coast Guard Command. Our company is also closely following the search and rescue efforts and is acting in full cooperation with the authorized bodies.

At this stage, our greatest priority and wish is to reach our 10 sailors serving on our ship as soon as possible. All our thoughts and prayers are with our sailors and their precious families.

Our company will provide all necessary information and documents to the official investigations and inquiries to be conducted in order to reveal the causes and circumstances of the accident in all aspects. Due to this extremely sad event we have experienced, we share the pain felt by our colleagues and their families, and we state that we are by their side with all our resources. The public will be further informed as developments regarding the matter occur.

İmamoğlu Denizcilik

News Source: 12punto