Dry Cargo Ship Catches Fire in Çanakkale Strait, Suspending Traffic

A dry cargo ship traveling from Egypt to Bulgaria caught fire in its engine room while transiting the Çanakkale Strait in Turkey on Thursday. The 107-meter-long vessel, named Ak Discovery, reported the blaze to authorities, prompting a swift rescue operation.

As a precaution, maritime traffic in the vital Dardanelles Strait was temporarily suspended in both directions. Several boats were dispatched to the scene to assist in extinguishing the fire. After the fire was successfully put out, cooling efforts for the ship are currently underway.

The Directorate General of Coastal Safety reported that the fire originated in the engine room of the Ak Discovery. No injuries have been reported among the crew members.

Why this matters: The Çanakkale Strait, also known as the Dardanelles Strait, is a strategic 61-km long waterway that connects the Marmara and Aegean seas, playing a significant role in international maritime navigation. Any disruption to traffic in this vital shipping route can have economic and logistical consequences.

The Çanakkale Strait is an important international maritime route, and the temporary suspension of traffic highlights the potential impact of such incidents on global shipping. Authorities acted swiftly to address the situation and ensure the safety of the vessel and its crew.

Cooling efforts for the Ak Discovery are ongoing, and an investigation will likely be conducted to determine the cause of the fire in the engine room. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced in maritime transportation, even in strategic waterways like the Dardanelles Strait.

Key Takeaways

• Cargo ship Ak Discovery caught fire in engine room in Çanakkale Strait, Turkey.
• Maritime traffic in vital Dardanelles Strait temporarily suspended to assist firefighting.
• No injuries reported among crew, cooling efforts for ship currently underway.
• Çanakkale Strait is a strategic waterway, disruptions can have economic consequences.
• Incident highlights risks in maritime transportation, investigation to determine fire cause.