Dardanelles (Canakkale Strait)

Southern gate of the Turkish Straits system, linking the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

Dardanelles Strait Passage Rules

Operational Restrictions • Vessel Categories • Special Transit Conditions

1. Daylight & Comparison Restrictions

Mandatory Daylight Transit:

Full-length tankers 200 meters or more
Vessels carrying IMDG Code 1 cargo with full length 200 meters or more
Deep-draught vessels

At Nara and Kilitbahir Turns:

Vessels 150 m or more shall not be compared with any other vessel.

Opposite Direction Restrictions:

The following shall NOT be allowed to enter from the opposite direction:

IMDG Code 1 cargo vessels (≥150 m)
Loaded/empty tankers
Vessels ≥200 m full length

Exceptions (allowed opposite-direction passage, controlled):

Passenger ships with pilot captains
Loaded livestock carriers
Container & Ro-Ro ships not carrying IMDG Code 1 cargo

2. IMDG Code 1 and Tanker Restrictions (150–200 m)

Applies to:

Ships carrying IMDG Code 1 cargo (150–200 m)
Full or empty tankers (any above 150 m)

Shall not be compared with vessels ≥150 m at Nara and Kilitbahir. Opposite-direction vessels of these types shall not be permitted to enter the Strait.

3. Tugboat Escort Recommendation for Large Dangerous-Cargo Ships

Tankers and dangerous cargo ships (excluding Ro-Ro and container vessels) with full length ≥250 m:

Are strongly advised to transit with tugboat(s) designated by TBGTH Center
According to Article 6, Paragraph 4 of the “Additional Transit Rules”
Shall transit during daylight hours

4. Comparison Exemptions

Not subject to comparison at turns

Non-hazardous cargo vessels 200–300 m
Vessels ≥200 m full length (non-dangerous)
Vessels 150–200 m carrying IMDG Code 1
Full/empty tankers
LPG / LNG tankers (any length)

5. Entry Restrictions (Reserve Length)

Vessels with total reserve length 200–300 meters shall not be allowed to enter the Strait until they pass Nara Point.

Opposite-direction restrictions also apply to:

IMDG Code 1 cargo vessels (≥200 m)
Vessels 200–300 m (not to be compared at Nara/Kilitbahir)

6. Passenger Vessel Passage Rules

Passenger vessels ≥300 m full length:

Passenger vessels 300 m or more may transit the Istanbul Strait during daylight and the Dardanelles including nighttime, provided they have a pilot captain and are subject to the four additional rules.

Passenger vessels ≥300 m that enter/exit ports in the Bosphorus without crossing the Strait may:

Passenger vessels 300 m or more that transit the Dardanelles, call at ports in the Bosphorus without transiting the Bosphorus, and return to the Sea of Marmara may perform departure maneuvers including at night, provided they have a pilot captain and are subject to the additional rules.

7. Passenger, Livestock, Ro-Ro Passenger & Container Vessels (Non-IMDG 1)

Opposite-direction guided entry permitted

During one-way suspension due to Dangerous cargo ships, Additional rule subject vessels, or Towed vessel passages, the following vessels may be guided and controlled from the opposite direction:

Passenger vessels
Livestock carriers
Ro-Ro passenger vessels (non IMDG-1)
Container vessels (non IMDG-1)

➡️They shall NOT be compared with vessels causing one-way traffic in critical areas.

✔️Escort possible during current/visibility restrictions

If traffic is suspended due to currents/visibility, these vessels may be escorted with:

Piloted vessels
Suitable tug(s) designated by TBGTH Center

Under Article 6, Paragraph 4 conditions.

✔️Priority Passage

Passenger vessels, livestock ships, non-IMDG-1 Ro-Ro passenger vessels, and non-IMDG-1 container vessels may be given priority if they take a pilot, considering traffic, weather, and sea conditions.

8. Sea Flow Restrictions

If upper current velocity > 4 miles/hour:

Dangerous cargo ships
Vessels with maneuvering speed ≤10 miles/hour
Large vessels
Deep-draught vessels

Shall not enter the Strait

Must wait until flow is ≤4 miles/hour

Other vessels:

May proceed if they take tugboats deemed suitable by the TBGTH Center.

9. Air Draft Restriction

70 m

Maximum Air Draft

Vessels ≥70m CANNOT transit