Russia-Bound Bulk Carrier Runs Aground After Engine Failure In Turkey’s Dardanelles Strait

Vessel traffic through Turkey’s Dardanelles Strait resumed after a bulk carrier that suffered an engine failure and ran aground was refloated with the help of tugboats, Turkish authorities said.

The 190-metre San Marino-flagged bulk carrier Pilatus Marine was sailing from Syria to Russia when it grounded at the Nara turn in the Çanakkale Strait area, according to Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.

Following the incident, authorities temporarily suspended vessel traffic in both directions through the Dardanelles while inspections and rescue operations were carried out.

The Directorate General of Coastal Safety (KEGM) said the vessel ran aground due to a mechanical failure. The agency deployed the Kurtarma-19 and Kurtarma-16 tugboats, which reached the ship after the grounding.

Divers were sent to inspect the hull and assess the condition of the vessel. The inspection found that the ship had not suffered significant damage.

Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure said two tugboats, a service vessel and Coast Guard support were involved in the response operation.

The vessel was later refloated after around 12 hours, allowing traffic through the Dardanelles to restart in both directions. No injuries were reported.

PILATUS MARINE isimli gemi, balık adamlarımızın yaptığı kontrol sonrasında, Çanakkale Gemi Trafik Hizmetleri Merkezimiz koordinasyonunda; kılavuz kaptanımızın refakatinde, KIYEM-1 Botumuz, KURTARMA-16 ve KURTARMA-19 Römorkörlerimizce bulunduğu yerden kurtarılarak yüzdürüldü. pic.twitter.com/G382us0D94

— KEGM (@kiyiemniyet) July 29, 2026

The Pilatus Marine, built in 2011 with a deadweight capacity of 56,632 tonnes, was travelling in ballast when the incident occurred, according to reports. The vessel had earlier departed Syria and was heading towards Russia.

The ship had also been cited during port state control inspections earlier this year. A March inspection in Russia recorded seven deficiencies, including issues related to the vessel’s main and auxiliary engines.

An inspection carried out in Turkey in January 2026 recorded five deficiencies.

The Dardanelles is an important shipping route connecting the Marmara Sea and the Aegean Sea and serves as a passage for vessels travelling between the Black Sea and global markets.

Any temporary closure of the strait can affect commercial vessel movements through the region.

The waterway is frequently used by bulk carriers transporting commodities from Black Sea ports, making safe navigation through the passage important for international shipping operations.

After the vessel was cleared from the area, authorities reopened the Dardanelles to maritime traffic. Further details on the cause of the engine failure and any additional inspections of the vessel were not immediately available.

References: turkiyetoday, bairdmaritime