Sea of Marmara - Shipwreck Log

On the afternoon of January 3, the 75 meter long, 2052 dwt cargo vessel White Line (IMO: 8420713) ran aground in the Sea of Marmara off Martaş, Tekirdağ, Turkey. The White Line had departed from Libya in ballast bound for Tekirdağ when it went ashore near Martaş. The cargo vessel was attempting to dock at the port of Martaş when unusually strong southerly winds caused the cargo vessel to be blown up on the beach.

The Coastal Safety Directorate and Coast Guard were alerted and dispatched a response team to the scene. Finding conditions unfavorable, authorities determined that any refloating attempts would have to wait until better weather. No reports of injuries to the 9 crew members on board. Divers attempted to conduct an inspection the following day, but were unable to do a proper assessment due to the high waves.

Reports state the White Line had a recent history of deficiencies. The cargo vessel was detained multiple times in 2025 for structural issues and safety equipment not up to requirements.

Bitihi 2

January 4, 2026 Paul Hancock

On the morning of January 4, the 98 meter long, 4811 dwt double hulled LPG tanker Bitihi 2. (IMO: 8817693) became disabled on the Sea of Marmara near Büyükada, Turkey. The Bitihi 2. had departed from it anchorage off Yeşilköy on January 2 and proceeded into the Sea of Marmara. While maneuvering the LPG tanker suffered machinery failure and lost main engine propulsion. The Bitihi 2. went adrift with winds pushing the tanker towards the Büyükada shoreline and was in risk of running aground on Adalar.

The General Directorate of Coastal Safety (KEGM) received a report of the disabled Bitihi 2. and dispatched the 38.5 meter long tugboat Kurtarma-9 (IMO: 9598581) to assist. The tug would arrived on site and secure a towline to the Bitihi 2. The vessels would proceed to the Tuzla Iron Field Anchorage where the tanker dropped anchor.

The General Directorate of Coastal Safety reported there were no injuries, damage or pollution released.

The Bitihi 2. was built in 1990 and has prior mechanical problems. In December 2015 the Bitihi 2 would suffer engine failure in the Bosphorus. The following year the tanker would suffer rudder failure in the Aegean Sea. The Bitihi 2. has changed its name 5 times since 2021 and its flag 4 times.

Collision off Florya

December 31, 2025 Paul Hancock

On December 30, the 141 meter long, 7786 dwt tanker Kalbajar (IMO: 9821471) collided wit the 115 meter long, 6239 dwt tanker Alatepe (IMO: 9104873) in the Sea of Marmara at the Küçükçekmece anchorage off Florya, Turkey. Both tankers were anchored close to shore when strong winds caused the anchor of the Kalbajar to drag. The Kalbajar drifted towards the Alatepe until the two vessels collided. While the collision did not result in damage or any pollution released, the Kalbajar’s anchor chain became tangled in the propeller of the Alatepe.

Authorities were alerted who dispatched tugboats and a response team to the scene. The tugs stood by as the Kalbajar was able to restart the vessel’s engine, untangle the anchor chain and proceeded under its own power to deeper water where it drop anchor in a safer location. Unfortunately, the Alatepe would run aground during the incident. The following day divers conducted an underwater inspection of the hull and begin operations to refloat the tanker.

Authorities report the Kalbajar was in ballast while the Alatepe had some 2,500 tons of chemicals on board. There were no reports of injuries to the 14 crew on the Kalbajar and no injuries to the 17 on the Alatepe.