NEW REGULATION FOR INSTANBUL ANCHORAGE AREA

According to latest circular received from Istanbul Harbour Master, in order to keep Istanbul Anchorage Area safer and under control, all vsls anchoring must take as from 22/03/01, a Pilot both for anchoring and Lifting Anchor, and Anchorage place will be allocated by Harbour Master. Therefore, Agents must apply for Anchorage space and give necessary information to Pilots prior vsls' arrival.

Agents' Association, Chamber of Shipping and all Agents independently have strongly protested against such new regulation suddenly imposed.
However, this is already in force and presently all vsls anchoring at Istanbul Anchorage Area (South / West of Bosporus entrance) are subject to compulsory pilotage, even if anchorage is requested by Traffic Control Station when Traffic at Bosphorus is closed.

Ships waiting reopening of the Straits by drifting outside the Anchorage Area are not subject to such new regulation.

ANCHORAGE TARIFF FOR PILOTAGE IS AS FOLLOWS:

• 0 - 1,000 GT : $ 60.50
• OVER 1,001 - 64,500 GT : 64 X $ 10 = $ 640.00
• TOTAL : ($60.50 + 640.00) = $ 700.50
• Therefore anchoring & lifting anchor : ($ 700.50 X 2) = $ 1,4010.00
• In case vsl is a Tanker and Non Gas-Free: A 30% surcharge will be added, which will be total to $ 1.821.30.

As already informed there are strong protests against this new regulation and hope that Authorities will possibly cancel or at least make a change.