By Sinan Ulgen (Bloomberg Opinion) --Could a new infrastructure project shape the future of Turkish politics? That is one of the questions surrounding Canal Istanbul, a plan to link the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, bypassing the Straits of Bosphorus. The $15 billion project, championed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aims to create an alternative route for shipping, … [Read more...]
Containership Runs Aground in Bosphorus Strait – Incident Video
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A foreign cargo ship ran aground in Istanbul's Bosphorus strait on Friday, requiring a rescue operation and prompting authorities to temporarily close the picturesque and crowded waterway running through Turkey's largest city. There were no injuries or casualties, the governor's office said, adding that the ship had reported engine failure shortly before … [Read more...]
Turkey’s Proposed ‘Kanal Istanbul’ Alarms Villagers and Environmentalists
By Ali Kucukgocmen SAZLIBOSNA, Turkey, May 13 (Reuters) - When residents of Sazlibosna, a village near Istanbul, tried to attend a public meeting about the Turkish government's plan to dig a 400 meter-wide canal through their farmlands, they were stopped by police. The 45 km (28 mile) Kanal Istanbul will link the seas north and south of Istanbul and ease traffic on the … [Read more...]
Bosporus Strait Bulker Crash Hits Barley Supply to Top Buyer
By Isis Almeida, Cagan Koc and Anatoly Medetsky (Bloomberg) -- A ship that crashed into an historic building at Turkey’s Bosporus Strait this weekend was carrying barley sold to top buyer Saudi Arabia. Bulk carrier Vitaspirit had the accident on Saturday, temporarily halting traffic at one of the world’s most important maritime choke points. The Panamax vessel had loaded … [Read more...]
Incident Video: Bulk Carrier Crashes Into Historic Mansion in Bosphorus Strait
A Maltese-flagged bulk carrier crashed into a historic mansion on the shores of Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait on Saturday after its steering gear failed, according to media reports. Ship traffic in the strait had been suspended in both directions. Video from other boats in the area showed the ship, identified as the Vitaspirit, crash into the waterfront mansion. The … [Read more...]