Turkey has begun restricting the movement of some commercial ships to Black Sea ports through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, amid growing concerns about maritime security. According to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, Turkish authorities have informed several ships traveling to Novorossiysk, one of Russia’s main oil and grain export hubs, that transit permits are not being approved at the moment or that the processing of applications will take more time.

Sources said Turkish authorities have not given an official explanation for the move. Some ships have also been notified that the restrictions may also affect sailings to Ukrainian ports. Ship tracking data shows that, in the meantime, maritime traffic destined for ports in Bulgaria and Turkey continued through the Dardanelles.

Ankara's decision comes at a time when the Black Sea has been gripped by heightened tensions and attacks on commercial vessels. Turkish-owned vessels have been among the affected vessels. Turkey's Foreign Ministry said earlier this week that several crew members, including Turkish citizens, were injured after drone attacks on two Turkish vessels.

Ankara has called on the parties involved in the conflict to take urgent measures to ensure the safety of maritime transport in the Black Sea. Turkey warns that further escalation could have significant consequences for food security, given that the Black Sea region is one of the main areas of grain production and export. The new restrictions could create another obstacle to international trade, at a time when energy and food markets are facing great uncertainty due to conflicts and disruptions to key sea routes.