Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits

Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits

TOPIC: Geography

Context- In the midst of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the spotlight has moved to the Black Sea after Ukraine urged Turkey to close the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits to Russian ships under Monteaux Convention.

Concept-

Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits:

• The straits are also known as the Turkish Straits or the Black Sea Straits, connect the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea via the Sea of Marmara.
• The Bosphorus connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara,
• While the Dardanelles connects the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara.
• About 48,000 vessels transit the straits each year, making this area one of the world’s busiest maritime gateways.
• The Bosphorus is also one of the world’s most important chokepoints for the maritime transit of oil.

Trade through the Black Sea:

• Black Sea states — Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania and Georgia.
• Black Sea is a major artery for the movement of commodities at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
• Crude oil, refined oil, agricultural product and iron and steel are all transported through the Black Sea.
• According to the Bloomberg report, Ukraine and Russia together account for more than a quarter of global wheat exports, nearly a fifth of corn trade and the bulk of sunflower oil.
  • Rich, fertile soils have helped Ukraine become the second-largest grain shipper.

Montreux Convention:

• Signed in 1936, the Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits gives NATO member Turkey the control over the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits and regulates the transit of naval warships.
• the Convention permitted Turkey to remilitarise​ the Straits.
• The Montreux Convention guarantees free passage of civilian vessels to use the Turkish straits.
• The accord states that if Turkey is at war, Ankara has the right to do whatever is necessary, including closing the straits. If other states are at war and Turkey is neutral, the straits are closed for those belligerent countries.
• The Turkish government must also authorise aircraft if they cross over the straits.
• Submarines are also not allowed to pass the Turkish straits.
• But Black Sea states can build submarines outside the Black Sea and transport them through the straits, and can exit the Black Sea for maintenance by providing adequate notice.