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A Türkiye-based Ro-Ro passenger vessel named Seabridge was forced to return to Trabzon after Russian authorities in the Krasnodar region did not grant permission for the ship to dock at Sochi port.
The ship, which departed Trabzon on Nov. 5 carrying 20 passengers, remained offshore for three days before fuel levels reached a critical point, prompting the decision to sail back.
This voyage had marked the first trial passenger service between Trabzon and Sochi in 14 years. The plan had been viewed as a symbolic step toward reactivating maritime passenger routes across the Black Sea.
According to information shared by the operating company, the three days spent waiting in open waters led to the consumption of roughly 25 tons of fuel.
With reserves running low and no authorization forthcoming, the captain ordered the vessel to return to Trabzon for safety reasons.
Eighteen Russian citizens who had planned to travel home via the ship will instead be flown to Russia by air, with their tickets covered by the Turkish operator.
The ship had reportedly passed security and documentation checks, and no technical issue was noted. However, the Krasnodar regional administration did not approve entry, citing the “unsuitability” of passenger transport operations in the region due to ongoing conflict conditions close to the Black Sea theater.
Sergey Turkmenyan, the manager of Seabridge’s Russian agency partner, told local media that the explanation appeared inconsistent.
He noted that while Seabridge waited offshore, another vessel—the Astoria Grande cruise ship—docked in Sochi with 1,100 passengers and completed disembarkation within an hour.
Turkmenyan stated that in this incident, “one should look for reasons other than technical concerns,” adding that the situation suggested factors beyond standard port security.
Under international maritime law, companies may seek compensation if a vessel suffers measurable financial loss due to arbitrary administrative delays or refusals.
The Turkish operator is expected to evaluate possible legal steps following the failed docking attempt in Sochi.
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