The crude oil tanker Zephyr Prosper, en route from Russia to Kocaeli, suffered engine failure off Kilitbahir in the Dardanelles Strait on Wednesday, 29 April. Following the incident, strait traffic was temporarily suspended in both directions for safety reasons. The event again highlighted the critical risk that tanker movements pose in one of the world's busiest maritime corridors.
Four tugs — KURTARMA-10, KURTARMA-18, KURTARMA-19 and KURTARMA-20 — were dispatched to assist the 274-metre tanker. Coordinated by the Canakkale Vessel Traffic Services Centre, the operation brought Zephyr Prosper under control with pilots and tugs. Coast Guard units of the Ministry of Transport remained on stand-by at the scene.
The tanker was towed under KURTARMA-10 and safely anchored at the Sevketiye anchorage. Technical teams will board the vessel to repair the machinery and re-assess the route. Strait traffic was re-opened in a controlled manner once the tanker was anchored.
The Dardanelles Strait carries more than 40,000 vessels a year as a strategic outlet for Black Sea-origin energy cargoes bound for the Mediterranean. Russian crude and product tankers account for a meaningful share of this traffic, and the corridor has been operating under a more sensitive monitoring regime through 2026 amid rising geopolitical tension. Zephyr Prosper's breakdown underscores the multiplier effect that any disruption in the straits can have on supply chain timelines.
Key Takeaways:
1. The 274-metre Zephyr Prosper, en route from Russia to Kocaeli, suffered engine failure off Kilitbahir.
2. Two-way Dardanelles Strait traffic was temporarily suspended on safety grounds.
3. Tugs KURTARMA-10, -18, -19 and -20 responded; pilots kept the vessel under control.
4. The tanker was safely anchored at the Sevketiye anchorage under tow by KURTARMA-10.
5. The incident highlights the multiplier effect of strait disruptions on energy supply chain timelines.
