Transits in the Bosphorus Strait were temporarily halted after a Dutch anchor-handling tug supply unit suffered a rudder failure.
Turkish authorities brought in a tug escort to assist the 5,221-hp Vos Apollo (built 2011) on Saturday, according to shipping agency Tribeca.
The Directorate General of Coastal Safety said the Gibraltar-flag vessel was towing a barge when the incident happened.
The 59-metre ship was “safely anchored in Buyukdere under the coordination of our Istanbul Ship Traffic Services Center, accompanied by our Nazim Tur and Rescue-11 tugboat”, it added.
AIS data showed the vessel remained at anchor in the strait on Monday morning.
The Vos Apollo, which has no port state control detentions on its record, was travelling from Filyos to Istanbul.
Shipowner Vroon told TradeWinds the vessel experienced a short loss of steering.
“She was assisted by a tug within minutes. No injuries, no damage to the environment and no damage to property,” a spokesperson said.
This is the second stoppage in less than a week at the busy waterway.
Bulker goes aground
Last Monday, the strait through Istanbul was shut to traffic after a small bulker grounded.
The incident involved the 13,800-dwt MKK 1 (built 1992), which was travelling from Ukraine to Turkey, reportedly with a grain cargo.
Several tugs were among the vessels sent to provide assistance, the coast guard authority said.
Video footage showed the bow of the bulker close to the coastline on the Asian side of the strait.
No pollution was reported.
Turkish media reported a rudder failure at around 07:30 local time.
Shipping databases list the bulker under the name Abdullatif, with the manager reported as Nobility Marine of Romania.
