Turkey Imposes Full Ban On All Shippings Related To Israel

Black Sea area from Istanbul, Turkey. (Wikimedia Commons/Mostafameraji)

JAKARTA - Turkish authorities have imposed a full ban on sea traffic related to Israel, prohibiting Israeli or Israeli-flagged vessels from entering the Turkish port and Turkish-flagged vessels from sailing to Israel.

The move marks Turkey's latest move, which halted all trade with Israel more than a year ago over the Israeli genocide attack on Gaza and remains a vocal critic of its policies.

The restrictions include Israeli-related cargo, including container transshipment, meaning no items heading or coming from Israel will be handled at the Turkish port, private broadcaster NTV said, citing sources familiar with the matter, as reported by the Daily Sabah August 22.

Authorities also require ship owners to sign a statement confirming that their ships are not involved in operations linked to Israel and do not carry cargo or military equipment aimed at the country.

Earlier on Thursday, a separate report said Turkish port authorities had started informally asking the shipping agent to submit a letter stating the ships were not linked to Israel and were not transporting military or dangerous cargo aimed at the country.

The port head's office has instructed port agencies verbally to provide written guarantees, Reuters reported citing shipping sources.

One source said the instruction applies to ports throughout Turkey.

Meanwhile, a second source said ships arriving directly from Israel or departing for Israeli ports would no longer be allowed to dock in Turkish ports, according to information provided by the port authorities of the northwestern province of Kocaeli.

Turkish-flagged ships will also be prohibited from stopping at Israeli ports, according to the source.

The new guarantee letter must state that the ship's owners, managers and operators have no ties to Israel, and that certain types of cargo, including explosives and radioactive or military equipment, are not on board on their way to Israel, a second source said.

This move could further complicate deliveries to Israel in the Eastern Mediterranean. Previously, Yemen's Houthi group allied with Iran had targeted ships in the Red Sea since 2023 in what they refer to as an act of solidarity with Palestine.

Turkey decided trade with Israel was worth USD 7 billion per year in May last year until a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid was reached in Gaza.