ISTANBUL, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye has raised the fees levied on international ships navigating through the strategic Turkish Straits connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, local media reported Thursday.
Citing a statement of the Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, the Dunya daily noted that the toll has surged to 5.07 U.S. dollars per ton, up from 4.42 dollars, with the new rate taking effect from July 1.
"With the fees we collect, we are constantly improving the necessary infrastructure and traffic monitoring systems to enhance maritime safety and security as well as environmental safety in the Turkish Straits," Uraloglu said.
The minister also noted that the calculation of fees is determined by the net tonnage of the ships, with the unit based on the "gold franc" indexed to the ounce price of gold.
The Turkish Straits, consisting of the Dardanelles Strait and the Bosphorus Strait, are considered one of the most strategically significant waterways of the world.
Crossing through Türkiye's largest city, Istanbul, the Bosphorus Strait spans almost 30 kilometers with a width of approximately 700 meters at its narrowest points, serving as a crucial link connecting the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea.
The Dardanelles Strait in the northwestern Canakkale province is another significant waterway, connecting the Marmara Sea with the Aegean and Mediterranean seas over a length of 61 km. ■
