On January 8, the 14 meter long anti-pollution vessel Basaran II (MMSI: 271041620) sank in the Sea of Marmara along the coast at Tuzla, Turkey. A severe storm struck the Sea of Marmara. High waves drove the Basaran II from its moorings onto the seawall. Reports state the waves caused the vessel to smash into the seawall until the hull was holed allowing water ingress. The vessel would partially sink off the seawall. No reports of injuries.
On January 8, the 80 meter long, 2970 dwt cargo vessel Beypazari (IMO: 7615969) became disabled in the Sea of Marmara in the anchorage off Kartal, Turkey. The cargo vessel had suffered machinery failure and was adrift. Turkish authorities dispatched the KEGM tugboat Kurtarma-9 to assist. The tug took the Beypazari under tow and proceeded back to the anchorage. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On the morning of January 4, the 249 meter long, 115338 dwt tanker Qendil (IMO: 9310525) ran aground in the Aegean Sea off Bozcaada Island, Çanakkale, Turkey. The crude oil tanker was headed to Yalova from Aliağa in ballast when it proceeded to the anchorage off Bozcaada. The Çanakkale Strait Ship Traffic Services Directorate had alerted vessels in the area that strong southerly winds had impacted the strait. Authorities suspended all traffic and closed the strait to all vessels.
While waiting for conditions to improve to allow traffic to transit the strait, the Qendil was blown ashore off Polente feneri on Bozcaada Island. The tanker contacted Turkish authorities who dispatched the KEGM tugboats Kurtarma-10 (IMO: 9598593) and Kurtarma-16 (IMO: 9915052) to the area. Reports state that salvage efforts will depend on weather condition and hull integrity of the Qendil. There were no reports of injuries to the 26 crew on board the tanker. Authorities continue to monitor the vessel for potential release of pollution.
The Qendil has some added concern to Turkish authorities. The tanker has been reported as part of the Russian shadow fleet. The tanker had been attacked in December 2025 by Ukrainian forces while off Libya. Authorities have not stated the exact cause of the grounding, but there has been some speculation from various sources. Some reports have stated the Qendil was already damaged by the Ukraine attack and the grounding was intentional. However, this theory of the incident has not been confirmed by authorities. An investigation into the incident is expected.
