Two Turkish-flagged merchant ships collided near Silivri in the Sea of Marmara early on September 2 local time. One of the vessels subsequently sank, leaving all 10 crew members missing. Türkiye’s maritime authorities, Coast Guard, and naval forces have launched an air-and-sea search and rescue operation. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

Key Highlights 

• Collision: Two Turkish-flagged merchant ships collided near Silivri in the Sea of Marmara. 

• Vessel sinking: Tuğberk İmamoğlu sank approximately 11 minutes after the collision, leaving all 10 crew members missing. 

• Shipping impact: Air-and-sea search operations remain underway, with no indication so far of widespread disruption to nearby ports or shipping routes.

Two Merchant Ships Collide in the Sea of Marmara

According to the Istanbul Governor’s Office, the collision occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. local time on September 2, around 18 nautical miles south of the Silivri coast. The vessels involved were the Turkish-flagged merchant ships Alsu and Tuğberk İmamoğlu. Alsu was sailing from Kocaeli to Aliağa, while Tuğberk İmamoğlu was en route from the Port of İskenderun to Karadeniz Ereğli.

Following the collision, Türkiye’s coastal safety authorities and Coast Guard units responsible for the Sea of Marmara and the Turkish Straits were dispatched to the scene. A helicopter was also deployed for the search and rescue operation. Alsu continued to take part in the response operation. No final findings have yet been released regarding the cause of the collision or responsibility for the accident.

Cargo Ship Sinks Within Approximately 11 Minutes

Türkiye’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs said Tuğberk İmamoğlu was believed to have sunk after repeated calls to the vessel went unanswered and its crew members could not be reached by phone. Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, later said the cargo ship sank approximately 11 minutes after the collision. There were 10 crew members on board.

Search teams subsequently found a lifeboat and debris from Tuğberk İmamoğlu at the scene, but none of the 10 missing crew members have been located. The Turkish Navy has also joined the operation, deploying a frigate, a rescue vessel, and drones to assist with the search.

Tugberk Imamoglu

Air-and-Sea Search Continues as Shipping Impact Remains Unclear

Turkish authorities are continuing search operations in the area while investigating the cause of the collision. Publicly available information indicates that the immediate priorities remain the search for the missing crew members and the investigation into the accident. There is currently no authoritative information indicating that the incident has disrupted operations at nearby ports or shipping routes across the Sea of Marmara as a whole.

For shipments involving Türkiye or the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions, the main issues to monitor are any subsequent navigation restrictions, schedule adjustments, or changes to port operations. The incident may affect transport arrangements if temporary navigation restrictions are introduced in the area or carriers adjust the relevant services. Companies should refer to the latest notices from Türkiye’s maritime authorities and shipping lines for further information.

Sources: Istanbul Governor’s Office, Türkiye’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs, Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, and publicly available industry information.