The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni, carrying Ukrainian grain, sails in the Bosphorus en route to Lebanon, in Istanbul, Turkey August 3, 2022. REUTERS/Yoruk Isik
By Beril Akman (Bloomberg) —
A Turkish court upheld an opposition complaint about a multi-billion dollar canal project pushed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a setback for the leader’s latest megaproject.
The opposition-run Istanbul municipality filed the lawsuit against the canal and the government’s proposed zoning plan, arguing it would cause irreparable damage to agricultural land, forests and water basins and worsen traffic congestion. The ministry can appeal the decision.
Erdogan, who’s called the $15 billion canal his “crazy” project, envisions it as an alternative to the Bosporus Strait, arguing it would alleviate shipping traffic. Opponents criticize the potential environmental impact, citing concerns it could trigger a construction frenzy and swell the city’s population beyond the current 16 million residents.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, considered by supporters as a future rival to Erdogan, strongly opposes the project, calling it “suicide.”
The project, which would require major financing if approved, is likely to feature in political campaigns for local elections at the end of March. Imamoglu will run against former environment minister Murat Kurum, a supporter of the canal.
Erdogan has poured tens of billions of dollars into giant infrastructure projects to consolidate voter support in the past two decades.
© 2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,832 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
By Jack Wittels (Bloomberg) — Ships seeking to avoid ongoing attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea area are emitting millions of additional tons of carbon, making it tougher for...
Update: Yemen’s Houthis targeted two U.S. destroyers and the vessel CYCLADES in the Red Sea as well as the MSC Orion in the Indian Ocean, A Houthi military spokesman said...
By Alex Longley and Julian Lee (Bloomberg) — A Group of Seven-imposed cap on the price of Russia oil is becoming increasingly unenforceable, an organization at the heart of the global...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,832 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
