Turkey may lose up to $20 billion within three months if attacks on ships in the Black Sea continue. This was reported on August 25 by Mustafa Can, chairman of the board of Transbosphor Maritime Transportation.
"The three-month costs of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia for Turkey could reach $20 billion," Can said in an interview with Bloomberg HT.
He also noted that the number of ships passing through Turkish straits has sharply declined. Previously, about 200 ships passed through Turkish waters daily, but now the number has dropped to 25.
"Ships are choosing longer routes. Fuel, personnel, and insurance costs are rising. Therefore, it cannot be said that shipowners are making a profit," added the chairman.
Former Turkish military attaché, retired Air Force Colonel İhsan Sefa, on August 22 called for restricting the passage of ships linked to Ukraine through Turkish straits. In his view, attacks on Turkish commercial vessels in the Black Sea require Ankara to take tougher measures.
