A General View on Turkish Ports

 

Links under this page

Grouping     Health & Medical     Sanitary & Port Inspections     Departure     ETA     Turkish Flag     Time

Pilotage & Towage     Pilot Ladder     Readiness     Port State Control     Fire Precautions

Marine Pollution Preventation Regulations     Garbage & Oil Record Book     Garbage Removal

Ballast Water     Waste Oil Disposal     Fumigation     Repairs     Supplies     Watchmen     Tally Clerk

Opening/Closing Hatches     Shore Leave     Repatriation     Police/Ambulance/Fire     Radio     Consuls

General Holidays     Communication     Currency     Climate     Language     Weight & Measures

Classification Societies

 

 

Turkish Ports within this Section

Turkish Ports & Straits

Aegean Sea Region     Black Sea Region    Marmara Sea Region     Mediterranean Sea Region

Sea Passages/Straits & Anchorage Areas of Straits

 

  

Other pages under this site

TANOL 2000'S CARGOES

TANOL’S MAIN PAGE | TANOL’S CONTACTS | TANOL’S SAMPLES OF RIDER CLAUSES | TANOL’S PORT DATA MAIN PAGE

TANOL’S VESSEL DATABASE

 

Go to bottom

 

 

A GENERAL VIEW ON TURKISH PORTS

 

 

Grouping of Turkish Ports

 

Turkey has several ports and berthing facilities; The ports are classified into three groups: governmental, municipal and private ports.

 

The first group, general-purpose governmental ports, are operated by State Economic Enterprises.

• The Turkish State Railways (TCDD) ports, all of which are connected with the railway network.

• The Turkish Maritime Organization (TDI) ports.

These two State Economic Enterprises are under the control of the Ministry of Transport, but they are activating as independent enterprises. In the headquarters of both organizations, there is a separate Department of Ports, which is responsible for planning and their coordination.

 

Each individual port is managed by a Port Manager appointed by the related State Enterprise. These ports are "full-service" ports. All the services to ship and cargo are given by the port own labor and equipment. Main services given by the ports.

 

The second group are municipal ports which are managed by the Municipalities. These ports are comparatively small and are general limited to a small volume of coastal traffic serving the local needs of provincial towns.
 

The third group is made up of special private ports. These ports are mostly confined in purpose to the particular needs of industrial plant but allowed to use by third parties too.

 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

GENERAL INFORMATION
 

 

Heath and Medical:

 

If urgent medical assistance required, master must contact Agent as soon as possible. Ambulance, Doctors, Pharmacies and Hospitals are available at every port or nearby.

 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Sanitary and Port Inspections:

 

Vessels calling Turkish ports have to obtain free pratique, than, custom clearance to commence any operation.

 

Nobody may join or to leave the ship before this inspection is completed.

 

Vessels may be cleared at anchorage or alongside the berth, and sometimes at the straits of Dardanelles and Bosphorus.

 

Upon arrival of a vessel, free pratique and customs clearance is organized by the "Clearance Party" which consist of:

• 1 Sanitary Officer,

• 1 or more Immigration Officer [police],

• 1 or more Customs' Officer.

Master has to submit the following documents to the Clearance Party:

 

 

In addition to above and as the last one, the following Ship-Certificates are to be present to the Harbor Master for inspection, to obtain outward clearance:

• Tonnage Certificate

• Safety Equipment Certificate

• Safety Construction Certificate

• Safety Radio Certificate

• International Load Line

• International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate

• Class Certificate

• Minimum Safe Manning Certificate

• Deratting Exemption Document

• International Medical Certificate

• Ship's registry Certificate

• Chemical Fitness Certificate (only tanker)

• International Safety Management Certificate

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Departure:

 

On TCDD & TDI ports, vessels are allowed 3 hours alongside the berth after completion the cargo operations for departure. In the event of delays and longer stay of the vessel alongside the berth, penalty charges are imposed. The other ports are subject to their own administrative regulations except TCDD & TDI. This period will be extended if the pilots will not take the vessel out in darkness.

Master have to obtain the following documents through the agent before departure;

• Harbor Master Clearance (all ships certificates)

• Sanitary Clearance (Free Pratique Card)

• Customs Clearances (Custom & Custom Enforcement)

• Immigration Clearance (all Seaman Books and/or Passports and Shore Passes)

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

ETA:

 

All vessels must cable their ETA's at least 96 and 48 hours in advance, 24 hours before arrival, stating vessel's name, GRT/NRT, port of register, kind and quantity of cargo, drafts and name of last port of call.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Turkish Flag:

 

All foreign ships are required to fly Turkish Flag during their stay at Turkish ports or anchorages and also when passing through the Turkish Straits (Dardanelles and Bosphorus).
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Time:

 

GMT + 2 hours. GMT + 3 hours during "Summer Time"

 

International "Summer Time / Winter Time" change practice is  applied in Turkey.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Pilotage & Towage:

 

Pilotage and Towage are compulsory for berthing and unberthing to/from a Turkish port and/or anchorage.

 

Vessels should communicate within a distance of 10 - 15 miles, approximately 3 hours prior to their arrival with "Pilot Station" on VHF channels 16 or their self channels, manned 24 hours.

 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Pilot Ladder:

 

Pilot Ladder will be prepared on vessel's starboard side. If the vessel's freeboard exceeds more than 5 meters, a combination ladder should be prepared.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Readiness:

 

Notice of Readiness [NOR] will be received by "Loading Master" or "Receivers" of cargoes. NOR should be tendered at the time of pilot boarding, anchoring or on arrival points.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Port State Control:

 

The Under Secretariat of Maritime Affairs Port State Control officers are entitled and authorized to effect sudden unusual inspections on the vessels in Turkish ports in accordance with the "Mediterranean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control".
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Fire Precautions:

 

Ship's Watchmen to be on duty during entire stay. All operations involving open fires and sparks are prohibited. Fire on board the ship has to stop loading or discharging operations and vessel to contact the nearest Fire Station and Harbor Master on VHF channel 16 and also to dial telephone number 110 in all regions of Turkey.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Marine Pollution Prevention Regulations:

 

Inform the following prohibited actions against rules announced by the Turkish Ministry of Environment (Rules Numbered 2872), which, all vessels have to follow those announced rules while calling at all Turkish ports.

 

Turkish Port and Environment Authorities have begun to take stricter measures against occurrences of pollution caused by vessels passing thru Turkish Straits or calling at any ports of Turkey.

 

Regardless of whether pollution is actually caused by any particular vessel, the slightest indication of pollution witnessed by other vessels are to be immediately reported to these authorities during twenty-four hours a day as per MARPOL 73/78, Annex-I.

1-Traffic control center or Pilot stations on VHF channels 16 , 11, 12 , 13 in every region in Turkey
2- Harbor master on VHF channels 16 in every region in Turkey
3-Coast Guard Command on VHF channels 16, 08 and dial number 158 in every region in Turkey,
4-Your local Agency on VHF Channel 16 and Emergency Phones.

If pollution is found to have been caused due to technical problems of the vessel, a fine of USD 35,000.⁰⁰ (minimum) is charged. If pollution is found to have been caused by reason of negligence on the part of the vessel, or if ballast / dirty water / slops / garbage / etc are discharged, this violation is charged from USD 40,000.⁰⁰  to USD 160,000.⁰⁰

Master has the responsibility to give all the necessary information, knowledge and instruction to Crew Members and monitoring the accomplishment.

 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Garbage and Oil Record Book:

 

Garbage and Oil Record Book must be kept on a regular basis and the signature and seal of the receiving contractor must be taken on each time of disposal.

 

Painting, chipping and washing the storage tanks and holds of vessel are under the entire responsibility of ship owner,
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Garbage Removal:

 

Garbage Removal Expenses are charged to all vessels calling at Turkish Ports under the management of the Turkish Port Authorities.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Ballast Water:

 

There are no regulation concerning Ballast Water Management, however, some of the terminals are equipped to accept ballast water. Any vessels should not discharge Ballast Water within the port limits or territorial waters.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Waste Oil Disposal:

 

Waste Oil Disposal is available at the equipped terminals only. Pollution of sea water with waste oil is  severely fined.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

Fumigation:

 

Fumigation activities on board the vessels are prohibited unless a  special permit has been issued/granted by the Harbor Master.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Repairs:

 

Ship's repair shops available at major ports. Minor repairs are possible under the allowance and control of Port Authorities.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Supplies:

 

Fuel Oil, Diesel Oil, Gas Oil, Fresh Water and Provision are available either by Trucks or Barges more or less at every Turkish Port.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Watchman:

 

Employment of watchman from shore is not compulsory.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

Tally Clerk:

 

The employment of tally clerks is not compulsory but recommended
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

Opening/Closing Hatches:

 

Opening/Closing Hatches work can be carried out by crew. If carried out by stevedores the cost is charged to vessel.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Shore Leave:

 

Shore leave for the crew is possible but subject to completing the customs' and immigration formalities. Crew permitted ashore with Shore Passes and Seaman's Book and all shore passes have to be returned to Immigration Office before departure of the vessel. Ports master's information and directions should be followed.

 

Some Terminals forbid to walk on jetties and in terminals areas. In such a case, a vehicle will be obtained by the Terminal upon request of the vessel for the needs of the crew and the vehicles will go directly to the gates.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Repatriation:

 

All facilities available for crew changes and arranging necessary repatriation.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Police/Ambulance/Fire:

 

Emergency telephone numbers are as follows;

• Police 155

• Ambulance 112

• Fire 110

Those telephone numbers are valid in any and all regions in Turkey.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Radio:

 

For Radio communication, call "Turk Radio", ship-to-shore communication is effected under VHF-DSC channels 16, 70 near Turkey on MF & HF band.

 

Forecasts and other meteorological events are broadcasted in Turkish on VHF channels 16 and 67 and updated every three hours. You can receive the broadcast in English on VHF if you required.

 

NAVTEX stations and broadcast frequencies and time-list is as follows;

 

 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Consuls:

 

Majority of foreign countries have consuls at the areas of Turkish Ports.
 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Holidays:

 

(a) General Holidays:

 

 

(b) Religious Holidays:

 

The religious holidays are; Kurban Bayrami and Seker Bayrami (3,5 - 4 days movable and bridged with weekends if first and last days comes to Mondays or Fridays by special decrees published/announced by the government).

 

(c) Weekends:

Working hours 08. 00 - 12. 00 , 13.00 - 17.00 (Saturday and Sunday are not working days) official working hours time in Turkey.

 

For ports that will work during weekends and/or holidays, special applications are to be made to the authorities, to be made at latest 1700 hrs proceeding working day (overtime possible except for banks).

 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Communication:

 

The National Turkish Railway Lines [TCDD]  have a total length of 8,133 km.

 

The road system includes 73000 km of motorways and fairly good roads. Motorways and Roads are under continuous modernization and development, to meet the rapidly increasing truck transit traffic between Europe an the Middle East.

 

There are international airports.

 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Currency:

 

The monetary unit is the Yeni Turkish Lira [New Turkish Lira].

 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Climate:

 

The country is so large that, one can not speak about a general overall climate. Therefore, Turkey's climate varies dramatically from region to region.

• Western and Black Sea Coastal areas enjoys generally mild winters with little snow and warm summers.

• Black Sea coast is rainy all through the year.

• Southern coast is typically Mediterranean, hot and sometimes humid summers with mild winters.

• Central Anatolia and in the east is continental with low rainfall.

Winters are harsh with heavy snowfall and the temperatures falling to as low as minus 30 ° C in the east.

 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Language:

 

Turkish is official language and is written in the Roman script. Many Turks engaged in business also speak English, French and German.

 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Weight and Measures:

 

The Metric System is in use in Turkey.

 

Back to top     Go to bottom

 

 

Classification Societies:

 

 

Back to top