Updates for vessels calling into Turkiye in 2026.
7 January 2026
Correspondent Ulgener brings us this update on the new rates for pollution fines.
Read the online circular here.
2 December 2025
Following the increase in pollution fines in Turkiye for 2026, Correspondent Omur Marine brings us this update on new minimum limits for coastal facility pollution insurance.
On the date of 25.11.2025, a Communiqué amending the Tariff and Instructions on Compulsory Liability Insurance for Marine Pollution from Coastal Facilities was published in the Turkish Official Gazette. The amendments will enter into force on 01.01.2026 and will apply to all relevant policies incepted or renewed on or after that date.
The regime applies to a wide range of coastal facilities, including terminals, ports, loading/unloading facilities, storage facilities, refineries, shipyards and ship recycling yards. It does not directly apply to ships; however, it is relevant where:
(i) P&I Club members own or operate coastal facilities in Türkiye, and/or
(ii) P&I Club members contract with such facilities and wish to ensure that the compulsory insurance required under Turkish law is in place.
For more information on the new limits and recommendations, read the circular here.
1 December 2025
Given the expected increase in fines for 2026, some recommendations for owners, operators and charterers trading to Turkey:
- update internal budgeting and risk assessments to reflect an increase in the monetary levels of pollution fines compared to 2025.
- ensure strict compliance with Turkish regulations regarding oily water separation, bilge handling, sludge disposal, garbage and sewage management.
- conduct additional crew training focused on operations in or near Turkish waters, including the Turkish authorities’ zero-tolerance approach.
- avoid tank cleaning, deballasting or bilge discharge operations when approaching or transiting Turkish territorial waters and straits.
- pay particular attention when at anchor or alongside Turkish ports, where inspections and aerial surveillance are frequent.
- In the event of a suspected pollution incident or notification from Turkish authorities:
- inform P&I Club and local correspondents immediately.
- preserve all evidence (Oil Record Books, log books, engine room and CCTV recordings, cargo and ballast records, sampling records).
- avoid signing any documents in Turkish without understanding their content; ask for translations where necessary.
- consider in advance whether to pay fines promptly with the 25% discount or to lodge security and challenge the fine in the Administrative Court. The decision should be taken in consultation with the Club and local correspondent on a case-by-case basis.
For more information read Correspondent Omur Marine circular here.
28 November 2025
On the date of 27.11.2025, the Tax Procedure Law General Communiqué No. 585 was published in the Official Gazette, fixing the revaluation rate for 2025 at 25.49%. This rate is expected to be applied by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change when issuing its tariff of 2026 environmental administrative fines, including those applicable to marine pollution from ships.
For more information on the revised 2026 rates, read Correspondent Kalimbassieris Maritime A.S. circular here.
Updates for vessels calling into Turkiye in 2025
9 May 2025
International Maritime Organization (IMO) has officially designated the Mediterranean Sea as an Emission Control Area (SECA) for sulphur oxides and particulate matter.
Under this new regulation, all vessels navigating within the designated Mediterranean SECA must use marine fuels with a maximum sulphur content of 0.10% m/m or alternative compliance methods as per MARPOL Annex VI.
For more information and recommendations read Correspondent Vitsan’s circular here.
2 January 2025
In the letter dated 27.12.2024 and numbered 2402830 announced by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, General Directorate of Maritime Affairs; The Directive of Maritime Traffic Regulations for Turkish Straits has been revised which is set to enter into force as of 01 February 2025.
The important changes on the regulations are highlighted in Correspondent Vitsan’s circular here.
Updates for vessels calling into Turkiye in 2024
31 December 2024
In Turkey, the level of applicable sea pollution fines scale is updated annually.
Pursuant to the Tax Procedure Law General Communiqué, prepared by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and published in the Official Gazette dated November 27, 2024, the revaluation rate for the year 2024 has been determined and announced as 43.93%. In this context, the monetary penalties stipulated in Article 20 of Environment Code shall be applied at the amounts specified below as of January 1, 2025.
For more information read Correspondent Omur Marine’s circular here.
5 December 2024
Correspondent Esenyel Partners, Lawyers & Consultants brings us the updates below:
The new fine rates in Turkish waters have been published on 27 November 2024 in the Official Gazette and increased by 43,93%. Pollution fines are divided in four categories: A, B, C and D.
The new pollution fine tariffs applicable as of 1st January 2025.
For more information, read the correspondent’s newsletter here.
8 January 2024
P&I Correspondents Vitsan and Kalimbassieris advise that as of 1 January 2024, pollution fines will be calculated as follows:
Pollution caused by tankers discharging petroleum and petroleum derivatives (such as crude oil, fuel products, bilge, sludge, slop, refined product, greasy waste materials etc.):
- Up to 1,000 (inclusive) GT: TL 3,184.81 per unit GT
- Between 1,000 and 5,000 (inclusive) GT: TL Additional 796.23 per unit GT
- Over 5,000 GT: Additional TL 79.59 per unit GT
Dirty ballast discharged to sea by tankers:
- Up to 1,000 (inclusive) GT: TL 580.25 per unit GT
- Between 1,000 and 5,000 (inclusive) GT: Additional TL 115.76 per unit GT
- Over 5,000 GT: Additional TL 18.37 per unit GT
Petrol/petroleum products (such as bilge, sludge, slop, fuel products, greasy waste materials etc.) and dirty ballast discharged to sea by vessels or any other sea vehicles:
- Up to 1,000 (inclusive) GT: TL 1,592.40 per unit GT
- Between 1,000 and 5,000 (inclusive) GT: Additional TL 318.49 per unit GT
- Over 5,000 GT: Additional TL 79.59 per unit GT
Garbage and sewage discharged to sea by vessels and any other sea vehicles:
Previously, this category comprised only of garbage and sewage discharges from the vessel. However, the new provision of law now also includes:
- domestic wastewater (greywater)
- water with detergent
- foam
- EGCS (scrubber) wash water – note that open loop operation is prohibited in Turkish ports and territorial waters – Read Here “No Scrubs: More ports declare ban on EGCS discharges *update*
- other similar washing waters and solid wastes etc.
This category of fines is split into vessels 150 GT and less and vessels greater than 150 GT.
Vessels up to and including 150 GT:
- Up to 18 GT – TL 17,661.00
- Between 18 and 50 GT – TL 35,325.00
- Between 50 and 100 GT – TL 70,650.00
- Between 100 and 150 GT – TL 105,976.00
Vessel’s greater than 150 GT:
- Up to 1,000 GT – TL 796.23 per unit GT
- Between 1,000 and 5,000 GT – additional TL 159.25 per unit GT
- Over 5,000 GT – additional TL 18.37 to be added per unit GT
Excessive sulphur content of marine fuels
According to new provision, vessels using fuels with sulphur content higher than the limit allowed by the IMO regulations will be subject to the tariff of fines as shown below:
- Up to 1,000 (inclusive) GT – TL 706.51 per unit GT
- Between 1,000 and 5,000 GT – additional TL 88.31 per unit GT
- Over 5,000 GT – additional TL 17.67 per unit GT
Additional advice
Vitsan and Kalimbassieris further advise of the following:
In November 2021, The Marmara Sea (including the Istanbul Strait, Canakkale Strait and Izmit Bay) was declared as a Special Environmental Protection Area. According to new provisions, the fines for marine pollution occurring in this area will be doubled.
If the vessel belongs to a corporate entity; shipping company/organisation the fine calculation will be three times the stated amount.
If the vessel has more than one pollution incident within three years, the fines will be doubled for the recurrence of the action and will be tripled on subsequent recurrences that are caused by the same offender within three years.
If any dangerous substances or hazardous wastes are discharged into the sea, the fine will be 10 (ten) times the amount calculated using the category of petroleum and petroleum product fines as a basis.
If the fine is paid before the vessel’s sailing or within 30 days, a 25% reduction will be applied.
If the vessel or the sea craft (offender) cleans the pollution caused by its own, by using her own means and efforts, the administrative fine shall be 1/3 of the total amount.
In March 2023, gross tonnage limitation was introduced for pollution fines for additional amount per GT applicable for vessels exceeding 5,000 GT. Accordingly, for all vessels greater than 100,000 GT, an administrative fine shall be imposed on the basis of a vessel at 100,000 GT.
Source: Pollution fines and Traffic regulations in Turkiye for 2026 | NorthStandard | Marine Insurance
