Ankara, Turkey – Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, made important statements today ahead of a meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) group. He addressed the current maritime crises and the repercussions of the recent attacks in the region. He also emphasized the Turkish government’s close monitoring of the situation of its ships stranded in sensitive waterways.
14 Turkish-owned ships in the Strait of Hormuz
Minister Ural Oglu revealed that 14 Turkish-owned vessels are currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing security concerns in the region. He explained that the Ministry is working diligently, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to facilitate the vessels’ release and ensure their safe passage. The Minister also reassured the public regarding the well-being of the crews, stating, “We are in constant contact with all the crews, and I would like to emphasize that we have not encountered any humanitarian problems thus far.”
In further detail, the minister indicated that three of these vessels are power-generating ships that were there to carry out specific technical operations. They have not yet requested to leave. While discussions are underway regarding the possibility of evacuating the personnel on board as a precautionary measure, Uraloğlu emphasized that no option for a complete withdrawal has been raised at this time.
Black Sea explosion: “Certain foreign interference”
In a separate but equally serious matter, the minister addressed the explosion that struck a ship in the Black Sea. While experts are still investigating the nature of the incident and whether it was caused by gunfire or a mine explosion, the minister asserted that there was “external interference.” He stated, “Our experts are investigating the matter thoroughly, but I can say that there was external interference, that’s for sure.”
The minister concluded his remarks by emphasizing the stability of general maritime traffic outside Turkish territorial waters. He also noted that authorities continue to monitor geopolitical developments to ensure the safety of Turkish maritime assets amidst the tense security environment created by the war in the Middle East and its repercussions on global trade routes.
