As of today, July 1, 2025, Turkey has again increased the transit fees for ships through the strategically important straits - the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. Now the price of passage has increased by 15% and is 5.83 USD per ton of net displacement.
This is the fourth increase since 2022, when the process of revising the tariffs began with a decree by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In three years, the price of passage has increased 7.2 times - from the previous level of 0.8 USD per ton, which was maintained for almost 40 years.
The fees are calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Montreux Convention and apply to ships in transit. The country's authorities emphasize that the increase in fees is due to the increase in maritime traffic, increased risks, as well as the burden on coastal infrastructure and security services.
According to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, the revenue from the fees is used to finance the work of the coast guard, rescue and medical services, as well as to eliminate the consequences of accidents at sea.
By the end of 2024 over 51,000 ships have passed through the straits, paying a total of $227 million in fees. The new tariff is expected to provide even more revenue to the state budget.
Meanwhile, experts note that Turkey, by reviewing its tariff policy, is seeking not only to offset costs but also to strengthen the role of the straits as an important economic and strategic resource.