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Traffic through Türkiye’s waterways surged to record-breaking levels in 2025, according to new data from the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs. A total of 84,640 ships navigated the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits last year, carrying 1.58 billion gross tons of cargo.
The two waterways continued to handle heavy international ship traffic despite shifts in global trade routes and higher security risks in the Black Sea tied to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.
Of the total transits, 40,172 ships sailed through the Bosphorus Strait and 44,468 through the Dardanelles Strait. By vessel type, general cargo ships led with 28,594 passages, followed by 15,559 bulk carriers and 10,659 container ships.
The figures indicate that the straits remain among the most heavily used maritime corridors connecting the Black Sea to international markets in terms of both ship count and tonnage.
Pilotage services were provided to 48,579 vessels during the year, pointing to sustained demand for guided navigation support along both routes.
International cargo carried by sea increased 3.8% year on year to 414.4 million tons. Outbound shipments from domestic ports to foreign destinations rose 0.4% to 142.8 million tons, while inbound cargo from abroad climbed 5.6% to 271.6 million tons.
The stronger rise in inbound freight suggests higher import-side cargo movement, while outbound flows show more moderate growth over the same period.
High tonnage and steady vessel counts keep the straits a reliable route for cargo, container and bulk ships, especially when other trade corridors face disruption.
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