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Black Sea Ship Passage Through Turkish Straits Reportedly Resumes

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Ship transits through the Turkish straits to the Black Sea have resumed following a pause in permit issuance amid heightened security concerns, according to media outlets on Sunday.

Ship tracking data cited by Bloomberg showed crude oil tanker Aegean Dream and container vessel Mehmet Kahveci A have entered the Dardanelles Strait on Sunday, with Russia's Novorossiysk as the destination.

Two Turkish government officials confirmed to Reuters on Sunday that ships were transiting through the straits smoothly, following the implementation of temporary measures due to security concerns.

This followed a Bloomberg report on Saturday that Turkey's Directorate General of Coastal Safety temporary halted permit issuance for voyages, although the agency did not provide an explanation for the move. Russian and Ukrainian attacks on vessels in the Black Sea have surged in recent weeks amid conflict.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has reportedly called on Russia and Ukraine to impose a moratorium on strikes against merchant vessels in the Black Sea. Turkey is now awaiting Russia's response on a relevant proposal by Ukraine, according to media reports.

Foreign ministries of Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine did not immediately respond to' requests for comment.

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