Turkey

Turkey has intensified negotiations with Ukraine and Russia on the creation of a new security mechanism in the Black Sea.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine’s Ambassador to Ankara, Nariman Dzhelyalov, after attacks on two Turkish vessels in the Black Sea.

Turkey will reduce the import duty on sunflower seeds from 20% to 12% from October 1, 2026, although the lower rate was supposed to come into effect only from November 30.

The Turkish maritime business has seen a sharp decline in the number of ships passing through the country’s straits.

Turkey is discussing the creation of two separate safe routes in the Black Sea – for ships heading to Ukraine and Russia.

Market participants expected a clearer statement from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding the possible closure or restriction of vessel passage through the straits.

After the Russian Federation intensified its attacks on Ukrainian ports and civilian vessels, Ankara has shown that it is ready to use control of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles as leverage.

For Ukrainian exports, this means a new risk premium – even before the straits are actually closed. USM spoke with experts in the maritime and agricultural industries to find out how Turkey’s decision could affect shipping and the freight market.

Turkey has resumed the passage of merchant ships through the straits towards the Black Sea after several days of delays for voyages to Russian and Ukrainian ports.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan calls on Moscow and Kyiv to agree on a moratorium on strikes on merchant shipping.

If quarantine organisms are detected in the grain, it will not be allowed for import, and the Ukrainian exporter will be denied a phytosanitary certificate.