Turkey has imposed a blanket ban on maritime traffic connected to Israel, blocking Israel��lagged or Israel��wned vessels from Turkish ports and prohibiting Turkish��lagged ships from sailing to Israel, reported Istanbul's Daily Sabah.
The restrictions extend to all Israel��elated cargo, including transshipment containers, meaning no goods bound for or from Israel will be handled at Turkish ports. Shipowners must sign declarations confirming no operational links to Israel and no military or hazardous cargo destined there.
Port authorities have instructed agents nationwide to provide written assurances, with vessels arriving directly from or departing to Israel barred from docking. The move follows Turkey's suspension of US$7 billion in annual trade with Israel last year over its Gaza offensive.
Officials said the ban could further complicate Eastern Mediterranean shipments to Israel, already affected by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.