Starting July 1st, Turkey to Hike Strait Transit Fees by 15%

Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure announced that ship transit fees through the Turkish straits will go up by 15%, bringing the cost to $5.83 starting July 1, 2025.

Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the move is in line with the Montreux Convention, which regulates navigation through the Turkish straits. He added that it’s part of a broader reassessment plan launched in 2022 through a presidential decree, with annual increases since then.

He explained that the value of the “gold franc” — which the fees are based on — had been fixed at $0.80 for 39 years before these updates began. With the latest increase, total fees (including for guidance, lighthouse, and health services) are now 7.2 times higher than they were before 2022.

The minister stressed that this adjustment makes operating costs more fair and transparent, and said the revenue is used to maintain and support public services tied to the straits — some of the most complex and risky waterways in the world.

He also said Turkey is continuing to invest in upgrading infrastructure and ship traffic monitoring systems to boost maritime safety and protect the environment.

For context, according to 2024 stats, 51,058 ships passed through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles without stopping, generating $227.4 million in revenue — highlighting the strategic and financial importance of these international waterways.