Fire Disables Cargo Ship in Turkey’s Çanakkale Strait

On June 17, Turkey’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety (KEGM) reported a fire aboard the Industrial Challenger, a heavy lift vessel sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. The incident occurred while the vessel was navigating the Çanakkale Strait.

The fire originated in the engine room, resulting in a complete loss of engine power and causing the ship to drift near the coastal area of Kumkale. The Çanakkale Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Center quickly initiated emergency protocols and sent out rescue teams to manage the situation.

Rescue Teams Successfully Secure the Vessel

Emergency support included the tugboats Turkeli and Kurtarma-13, as well as the rescue boat KIYEM-1. The 120-meter vessel was safely towed to an anchorage zone in Karanlık Liman by Kurtarma-13. Authorities confirmed that no crew members were harmed and there were no signs of environmental contamination.

Strait Reopens After Temporary Closure

To ensure safety during the rescue operation, maritime traffic through the Çanakkale Strait was temporarily halted. The waterway has since reopened for passage in both directions.

The Industrial Challenger, built in 2000, was traveling from Marmaris to Yalova when the fire broke out. According to tracking data, the ship remains anchored near Çanakkale.