Maritime Traffic In Bosporus Caused By Refusal Of EU Companies To Provide Insurance

The Turkish Maritime Authority on Thursday accused EU companies of refusing to provide insurance documents for the passage of oil tankers through the Black Sea Straits, and declared the unacceptability of applying pressure on Ankara.

Earlier in the day, The Financial Times newspaper reported, citing oil traders, that a traffic jam from oil tankers formed off the coast of Turkey after Ankara introduced restrictions on oil prices from Russia due to requirements to provide insurance data.

"Insurance companies refuse to issue such letters, which are issued on a routine basis," the statement said.

The Turkish authorities noted that it will continue to require insurance documents.