01.03.2026 13:41
Following Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, an important warning was issued by the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs for Turkish-flagged vessels. The security level for Turkish-flagged ships in the region has been raised to "ISPS Code 3," the highest level applied in the event of a potential attack or crisis.
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, affiliated with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, shared a critical navigation and safety announcement regarding the Strait of Hormuz, where tensions have risen in the Middle East. The official statement revealed that radio broadcasts have been made indicating that Iran has banned ship passages through the strait. Following this development, emergency protocols have been activated for Turkish commercial vessels navigating in the region.
RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS OF "PASSAGE BAN" ARE INCREASING
This development in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important transit routes for global oil and natural gas shipments, has raised the possibility of a hot conflict or seizure of vessels. Authorities confirmed that announcements have been made on the radio frequencies in the region regarding the ban on passages, warning Turkish sailors to exercise maximum caution.
"ISPS CODE 3" (STATE OF EMERGENCY) IN EFFECT ON VESSELS
The most striking part of the announcement was the declaration of Level 3 of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) for Turkish-flagged vessels.
ISPS Code 3, which means "red alert" in maritime terminology, is applied in situations where a specific security threat or incident is likely or imminent. According to this decision, Turkish vessels in the region will;
- Strictly control all entries and exits,
- Implement crisis and emergency protocols meticulously,
- Make emergency route changes if deemed necessary.
AAKKM ON ALERT 24/7
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs instructed ship captains to continuously monitor the current navigation announcements in the region. In the event of a potential danger, harassment, or emergency, vessels were requested to immediately contact the Main Search and Rescue Coordination Center (AAKKM), which operates 24/7 in Ankara and can quickly activate other relevant state units (military and diplomatic) during crisis situations.