Turkish Ships at Highest Security Level in 14 Areas

Turkish-flagged merchant ships in 14 conflict-affected maritime zones are under the highest possible security level. Turkey's transport minister confirmed the order Monday.

Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, answering parliamentary questions about commercial shipping safety, said Security Level 3 under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code is now in force for ships sailing to or through waters off Israel, Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Ukraine and Somalia. The order also covers Russian ports and waters in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, plus the Gulf of Aden, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz.

ISPS Level 3 is the highest tier, applied when the IMO considers a security incident "probable or imminent." Ships at Level 3 must restrict access to a single controlled entry point, bar non-authorised personnel, suspend cargo operations if needed, and subject supply deliveries to close inspection. Captains can extend restricted zones or move a ship out of the danger area entirely. Seafarers can refuse unsafe work and leave a dangerous area if the threat cannot be contained.

Uraloğlu said the IMO had confirmed 125 incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East by November 2. That figure includes 24 seafarer deaths. The pace of attacks has been relentless: a tug was struck and sank in the Strait of Hormuz on 1 November, and in October Iran declared the strait closed to ships it deemed in violation while a tanker caught fire after striking naval mines.

The Black Sea is separately included following drone strikes against ships in Russian-controlled waters. The 14-zone list covers every conflict-active waterway where Turkish-flagged ships operate in meaningful numbers.