Front Altair Tanker Loses Steering in Dardanelles Strait Transit

The Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker Front Altair experienced steering failure on 23 August while transiting the Dardanelles Strait from Yalova to the Aegean Sea. Turkish authorities deployed tugboats Kurtarma-12 and Kurtarma-16 to safely tow the 252-meter vessel to Karanlık Liman Anchorage with no pollution reported. The tanker will resume operations after completing inspections and repairs.

26 de agosto de 2026 • 1 min de lectura

Imagen de portada - Petrolero Front Altair pierde el timón durante el tránsito por el estrecho de los Dardanelos

The Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker Front Altair became disabled after experiencing steering failure while transiting the Dardanelles Strait on 23 August. The vessel was towed safely with no pollution reported.

Vessel FRONT ALTAIR suffer steering malfunction in Dardanelles Starit Vessel FRONT ALTAIR, image credit: Christopher R Irvine

The incident occurred while the 252-meter-long vessel was ballasting from Yalova to the Aegean Sea, off Kepez in the Dardanelles. Following the failure, the captain reported the situation by radio to the Dardanelles Strait Vessel Traffic Services Directorate.

In response, the General Directorate of Coastal Safety (KEGM) deployed two tugboats, Kurtarma-12 and Kurtarma-16, along with a pilot. The tanker arrived at Karanlık Liman Anchorage after being successfully towed by the tugboats and pilot.

Front Altair is expected to resume its voyage after completing the necessary inspections and repairs.