The Club's correspondent, Vitsan Istanbul, has issued a Circular to alert Members to a Notice issued by Turkiye's Directorate General of Maritime on 31 December 2022 regarding the South Anchorage Areas of the Istanbul Strait.
Following significant engagement between the International Group and the Government of Turkey, an agreement has now been reached for such ships carrying crude oil cargoes and that will allow Members to continue voyages through Turkish controlled international straits and waters.
Turkish authorities require ships to provide confirmatory letters of P&I cover before entering international straits, Turkish waters, ports, and terminals.
The International Group is aware of an announcement by the maritime authorities in Turkey concerning proposed changes in requirements for laden oil tankers to evidence P&I cover while in Turkish waters.
The Club's Correspondent, Vitsan, has issued a Circular to advise Members of amendments and new provisions in the Turkish Environmental Law for Marine Pollution Incidents, published in the Official Gazette on 15 June 2022.
The new Environment Examination Regulation number 31509 dated 12 June 2021 was published and contained inspection information, and does not contain any increase on fine amount, thus the Pollution tariff 2021 is still valid.
Please find below information received from UK Club correspondent in Turkey, Vitsan; the circular outlines the recent announcement that wash water discharge of open-loop scrubbers is prohibited in Turkish waters
The UK Club have received the following client alert from law firm Ersoy Bilgehan Lawyers and Consultants, regarding significant amendments to the Turkish Ports Regulation.
Under Turkish law, time bars and rights to lodge a claim with regards to Shipping law and maritime cases are regulated within the Turkish Commercial Code (TCC) and, regarding general disputes, within the Turkish Code of Obligations (TCO). The "general" provision under the TCO (art. 146) is that all claims are subject to a 10-year time bar, unless otherwise is stated under law.
New articles have recently been added to the Turkish Commercial Code making it compulsory for parties to refer their commercial disputes to mediation before commencing proceedings in court.
The Club has recently been advised of the amendments to Turkish Law in relation to drug smuggling; of particular note is the confiscation of vehicles which has been summarised in the attached bulletin.
