On October 15, a large cement-carrying ship named Blue Ciment 1 ran aground on the Bosporus Strait near Anadolu Hisarı, Turkey. The 134-meter-long vessel, weighing 13,045 deadweight tons (dwt), was sailing from Brevik, Norway, to Zonguldak, Turkey, when its engine stopped working.
Without engine power, the ship drifted helplessly in the strong currents of the Bosporus. Eventually, it ran aground near the narrow waterway, raising concerns about possible accidents in the busy shipping lane. Thankfully, no injuries or damage were reported, and no harmful substances like oil or cement leaked into the water.
Soon after the incident, Turkish authorities quickly responded by sending two tugboats to help. The tugs carefully pulled the Blue Ciment 1 off the shallow waters and guided it to a safe anchorage area in the Black Sea. Once there, the vessel anchored to allow repair teams to work on fixing its engine.
The Bosporus is a vital route for global shipping, connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and beyond to the Mediterranean. Any disruption along this waterway could impact trade and maritime traffic. Fortunately, the swift response ensured the situation was resolved quickly, with no harm to people, ships, or the environment.
This incident highlights the importance of regular ship maintenance, especially for vessels sailing in high-traffic areas. With repairs underway, the Blue Ciment 1 will soon be ready to continue its journey to deliver cement to Zonguldak.
