Bulk carrier bound for Russia runs aground and halts traffic in the Dardanelles

The main engine of the bulk carrier PILATUS MARINE failed near the difficult-to-navigate Nara turn.

Vessel traffic in the Dardanelles Strait was temporarily suspended due to the accident of the bulk carrier PILATUS MARINE, which was heading from Syria to Russia. 

This is reported by Maritime Executive.

Thus, the 190-meter vessel under the flag of San Marino lost speed due to engine failure and ran aground in the Nara turn area near Çanakkale. This is one of the most difficult sections of the strait to navigate due to a sharp change in course and intense ship flow.

After the incident, the Turkish authorities temporarily suspended traffic in the Dardanelles in both directions. Divers, two tugboats, a support vessel and a coast guard unit were sent to the bulk carrier to inspect the hull.

After the inspection, experts did not find significant damage to the hull. Tugs KURTARMA-16 and KURTARMA-19, with the participation of the KIYEM-1 boat and a pilot, removed the vessel from the ground and towed it away from the area of ​​intensive traffic.

The rescue operation lasted about 12 hours. After the fairway was cleared, the Turkish authorities resumed vessel traffic through the strait.

Reference. PILATUS MARINE is a bulk carrier with a deadweight of 56.6 thousand tons, built in 2011. The vessel sails under the flag of San Marino and has IMO 9602992. During the inspection of the state port control in Russia in March 2026, seven deficiencies were found on the vessel, including problems with the main and auxiliary engines. Five more deficiencies were recorded during an inspection in Turkey in January.