MARINE POLLUTION FROM SHIPS IN THE TURKISH STRAITS SYSTEM

Abstract

The economic growth with increasing oil production and maritime transportation makes this threat more devastating on the marine environment especially for small and narrow water passages such as the TSS. Every year more than 40,000 ships cross the Sea of Marmara and the constricted waterways of the Istanbul and Çanakkale Straits. Oil tankers are most prone vessels to possible accidents during transit passage in narrow straits, along coastlines with heavy maritime traffic, and especially during storms. The marine transportation intensity in the TSS increased significantly until 2012, under the control of economic growth and oil production. There is however a decrement in recent years. According to 2014 data, for example, the transit passages via Istanbul and Çanakkale Straits are slightly more than 45,000 and 43,000. The role of this chapter is to give a short overview of maritime transport activities in the TSS, marine pollution from ships, their types, and environmental impacts. In addition, the most important physical impacts of the ships on the marine ecosystem will be highlighted.