Ship arrest in Türkiye

Arrest and release of vessels in Turkish ports: which claims qualify, what the court asks for, how the enforcement office executes, and what to send us now. Practice areas are listed; no claim of specialisation is made.

Written forShipowners and managers · Creditors and suppliers · Charterers · Cargo interests · Crew · Yacht owners

Articles cited checked against the official text of the legislation · 17 September 2026

On this pageOverview Which claims How it works What the court asks for After the arrest Documents Ports Questions Instruct us

ReadReading time · full

What is a ship arrest in Türkiye?

A ship arrest in Türkiye is a court order that stops a vessel sailing so that a maritime claim is secured before it is decided.
A Turkish court can order the arrest even if the contract points to arbitration or a foreign court, and even if foreign law governs the claim (TCC art. 1356).

Read the full section

In brief

Arrest is the only interim measure Turkish law allows against a vessel for a maritime claim (TCC art. 1353).
Two conditions: the claim is on the Code's list (TCC art. 1352) and the vessel is in a Turkish port or anchorage (TCC art. 1355). No separate "risk" needs to be shown.
An arbitration clause or a foreign jurisdiction clause does not stop a Turkish arrest (TCC art. 1356).
The claimant lodges 10,000 SDR security; the order must reach the enforcement office within three business days; the merits must be started within a month.

A ship arrest in Türkiye is a court order that stops a vessel sailing so that a maritime claim is secured before it is decided. It is the only interim measure Turkish law allows against a vessel for such a claim: no injunction and no other order preventing the vessel from sailing can be sought (Turkish Commercial Code, art. 1353).

10,000 SDRsecurity the claimant lodges with the application; seafarers claiming wages are exempt (TCC art. 1363)

3 business daysfrom the order to the request for execution at the enforcement office, or the order lapses (TCC art. 1364)

1 monthfrom execution to start proceedings on the merits, or the arrest falls away (TCC art. 1376)

Two things decide everything.

The claim must be one of the maritime claims listed in the Code — unpaid bunkers and supplies, crew wages, cargo damage, charter and freight disputes, salvage, collision damage, port dues, mortgages and disputes over ownership, among others (TCC art. 1352). That the claim is on the list is, by itself, the ground for arrest; no further "risk" needs to be shown (TCC art. 1353(4)).
The vessel must be in a Turkish port or anchorage. For a foreign-flagged vessel only the court of the place where she is anchored, moored to a buoy, berthed or on a slipway can order the arrest (TCC art. 1355).

A Turkish court can order the arrest even if the contract points to arbitration or a foreign court, and even if foreign law governs the claim (TCC art. 1356). If proceedings on the merits are already pending abroad or before arbitrators, the arrest is still sought from the Turkish court of the port until a final award or judgment (TCC art. 1357(2)).

Where the vessel is mattersThe port decides the court and the enforcement office. Once the order is made, execution must be requested from the enforcement office within three business days, or the order lapses of its own accord (TCC art. 1364). We file in Istanbul directly; at other ports we attend through correspondent counsel and run the file from Istanbul.

Which claims qualify?

The Code defines a "maritime claim" as a claim arising from one or more of the matters it lists (TCC art. 1352).
A claim that is not on the list cannot ground an arrest (TCC art. 1353(3)).
In an ownership or possession dispute only the vessel in dispute can be arrested (TCC art. 1369(3)).

Read the full section

The Code defines a "maritime claim" as a claim arising from one or more of the matters it lists (TCC art. 1352). In everyday terms the list covers:

Money owed for the vessel: bunkers, stores, provisions, equipment and containers supplied for her operation, management or maintenance; repair, conversion and building work; port, canal, dock, pilotage and quarantine dues; towage; insurance premiums and P&I calls; commissions, brokerage and agency fees; and advances made on the vessel's or the owner's account, including loans for the vessel.
Contracts of use and carriage: any contract for the use or hire of the vessel, and any contract for the carriage of goods or passengers, whether or not a charter party was signed.
Cargo and people: loss of or damage to goods carried, including baggage; loss of life or personal injury connected with the vessel's operation.
Casualties: loss or damage caused by the operation of the vessel; salvage and salvage contracts, including special compensation for a vessel threatening the environment; general average; environmental damage or the threat of it and the cost of preventive measures; wreck raising, removal and destruction.
Crew: wages and other sums due to seafarers for their service on board, including repatriation costs and social insurance contributions.
Title and security: ship mortgages and similar charges; disputes over ownership or possession; disputes between co-owners about the vessel's operation or earnings; and disputes under a contract for the sale of the vessel.

A claim that is not on the list cannot ground an arrest (TCC art. 1353(3)). A claim that is not yet due can ground an arrest only in the narrow cases of art. 257(2) of the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law — where the debtor has no fixed residence, or is hiding or removing assets, preparing to flee or acting fraudulently against the creditor (TCC art. 1353(5)).

Which vessel can be arrested?

The vessel to which the claim relates can be arrested in five cases (TCC art. 1369(1)):

the person liable owned her when the claim arose and still owns her at the time of arrest;
the person liable was her bareboat charterer when the claim arose and now owns her;
the claim is secured by a ship mortgage or similar charge on her;
the dispute is about her ownership or possession;
the claim carries a maritime lien under TCC art. 1320.

sister shipTCC art. 1369(2): Another vessel belonging to the person liable can be arrested if that person was the owner, or the bareboat, time or voyage charterer, of the vessel concerned when the claim arose.

In an ownership or possession dispute only the vessel in dispute can be arrested (TCC art. 1369(3)).

How does the procedure work?

The application goes to the commercial court of the place where the vessel lies.
The arrest also catches the income the debtor earns from operating the vessel, and the enforcement office takes whatever steps are needed for her management, maintenance and protection while she is held (TCC art. 1368).

Read the full section

Four legs, in this order. The clock starts when we have the vessel details, not when the papers are perfect.

01
Send the vessel details
Vessel name, IMO number, current port and the nature of the claim.
02
Conflict check and fee proposal
We confirm that we can act and set out the fee and the documents needed.
03
Instruction and power of attorney
A notarised or consular power of attorney; we send the template.
04
Filing and attendance
Application to the competent court and attendance at the port.

What we file

The application goes to the commercial court of the place where the vessel lies. It is enough to put before the court evidence that satisfies it that the claim is a maritime claim under art. 1352 and of its money value (TCC art. 1362): the contract or bill of lading, invoices and statements, and the correspondence showing the sum is due and unpaid.

The court can decide in the owner's absence; the owner may then object to the court that made the order, and that court also deals with requests to vary the order and to increase, reduce, change or cancel the securities lodged by either side (TCC art. 1358).

Execution at the port

The office executes immediately on request, and it may do so at night and on public holidays.TCC art. 1365

Order to enforcement office. With the order in hand we go to the enforcement office within the three-business-day limit (TCC art. 1364).
Vessel barred and taken into custody. The enforcement officer bars the vessel from sailing and takes her into custody whatever her flag or registry, serves the master, owner or operator, and leaves the vessel with the person served as custodian, who is reminded of the criminal liability that attaches to a breach of custody (TCC art. 1366(1)).
Notifications. The officer notifies the coast guard or police, the harbour master and customs at once, and on the next business day the vessel's registry and, for a foreign-flagged vessel, the nearest consulate of the flag state (TCC art. 1366(3)–(4)).
If she has already sailed. The order against a foreign-flagged vessel can be enforced with the help of the coast guard until she leaves Turkish territorial waters (TCC art. 1367).

The arrest also catches the income the debtor earns from operating the vessel, and the enforcement office takes whatever steps are needed for her management, maintenance and protection while she is held (TCC art. 1368).

What does the court ask for?

Three things: evidence of the claim, security from the claimant, and speed.
A claimant who asks for an arrest must lodge security of 10,000 Special Drawing Rights (TCC art. 1363(1)).
Our guide on security for a ship arrest explains how this works in practice.

Read the full section

Three things: evidence of the claim, security from the claimant, and speed.

Security from the claimant

A claimant who asks for an arrest must lodge security of 10,000 Special Drawing Rights (TCC art. 1363(1)). What happens to that sum afterwards:

The owner may ask for more. The owner may ask the same court, at any stage, to increase it; in deciding, the court looks at the vessel's daily running costs while she is held and the earnings lost because of the arrest. If the court orders an increase and the additional sum is not lodged within the time it sets, the arrest order lapses automatically (TCC art. 1363(2)).
Seafarers are exempt. Seafarers claiming wages and other sums due for their service, who hold a maritime lien under art. 1320(1)(a), are exempt from lodging security (TCC art. 1363(3)).
The claimant may ask for less. The claimant may ask for the amount to be reduced (TCC art. 1363(4)).

Our guide on security for a ship arrest explains how this works in practice.

How long does it take?

The application is decided on the papers, without a hearing of the owner, so the time is set by how fast the documents, the power of attorney and the security can be put together.

Stage	Time	Rule
Application	Decided on the papers, no hearing of the owner	TCC art. 1358
Order → enforcement office	Within three business days — the one hard deadline on the claimant's side	TCC art. 1364
Execution	Immediately, at night and on holidays if need be	TCC art. 1365
Proceedings on the merits	Within one month of execution — an enforcement request or a court action — otherwise the arrest falls away	TCC art. 1376, applying art. 264 of the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law

Can the vessel be released?

Yes, and usually quickly. There are three routes:

Security to the enforcement officer. The vessel is released to the debtor, or to the third party holding her, against a deposit of her value, or a real-estate mortgage, a ship mortgage or a reputable bank guarantee accepted by the enforcement officer; the arrest continues over the security (TCC art. 1370).
Application to the court. The owner or debtor may apply to the court to lift the arrest against sufficient security for the whole claim, interest and costs, capped at the vessel's value (TCC art. 1371).
Agreed security. The type and amount of the security can be agreed freely between the claimant and the owner or operator (TCC art. 1372) — which is how a P&I club letter of undertaking comes into play: it is not on the statutory list, so it works only where the claimant accepts it.

Giving security is not an admission of liability, nor a waiver of any defence or of the right to limit liability (TCC art. 1373), and whoever gave it may apply at any time to reduce, change or cancel it (TCC art. 1374).

Courthouse — FigureShip arrest in Türkiye — the clock

Hourglass — FigureShip arrest in Türkiye — the clock

After the arrest

The arrest secures the claim; it does not decide it.
The court that ordered the arrest also hears the owner's claim for damages against a claimant whose arrest proves unjustified; if proceedings on the merits are pending in Türkiye or abroad, their outcome is awaited first (TCC art. 1361).
The lien lapses one year after the claim arose unless the vessel is arrested within that year and sold in enforcement (TCC art. 1326).

Read the full section

The arrest secures the claim; it does not decide it. Within one month of execution the claimant must start proceedings on the merits (TCC art. 1376). Unless the parties have agreed on another forum or on arbitration, the court that ordered the arrest hears the action and the enforcement office that executed it conducts the enforcement (TCC art. 1359). A foreign judgment or arbitral award on the claim can be enforced by the arrest court while the vessel is within its district or the release security is held by the court (TCC art. 1360).

Wrongful arrest

The court that ordered the arrest also hears the owner's claim for damages against a claimant whose arrest proves unjustified; if proceedings on the merits are pending in Türkiye or abroad, their outcome is awaited first (TCC art. 1361). The claimant's security under art. 1363 is what answers such a claim, which is why the owner can ask for it to be increased to reflect the vessel's running costs and lost earnings.

Re-arrest and sale

A vessel that has been arrested and released, or for which security has been given, cannot normally be arrested again for the same claim; the exceptions are a first security that is insufficient in type or amount, a security provider who fails, and a release the claimant could not reasonably prevent (TCC art. 1375).

Forced sale. If the claim is not paid, a registered vessel is sold by the enforcement office under the rules that apply to the forced sale of immovable property, an unregistered vessel under the rules for movables (TCC art. 1383).
Early sale. An early sale can be ordered where the vessel's value is falling fast or her upkeep is costly, or where she or her cargo endangers people, property or the environment (TCC art. 1386).

Maritime liens

gemi alacağımaritime lien — TCC arts 1320, 1321, 1323: A claim secured on the vessel herself: it follows her into any hands and ranks ahead of every mortgage.

The claims that carry it:

crew wages and repatriation;
death and personal injury connected with the vessel's operation;
salvage;
port, canal, quarantine and pilotage dues;
tort claims for property damage caused by the vessel's operation.

The lien lapses one year after the claim arose unless the vessel is arrested within that year and sold in enforcement (TCC art. 1326). For an unpaid crew this is the strongest position a creditor can have.

Documents we need from you

Vessel name, IMO number, flag and where she is now (berth or anchorage)
The contract, order confirmation or bill of lading behind the claim
Invoices, statements of account and delivery notes
Correspondence showing the sum is due and unpaid
Company documents and signatory details of the claimant
Power of attorney in the form Turkish courts accept — we send the template
Funds or a bank letter for the 10,000 SDR security (TCC art. 1363)

Common questions

Can a foreign-flagged vessel be arrested in a Turkish port?

Yes. The enforcement officer detains every vessel the court has ordered arrested, whatever her flag or registry (TCC art. 1366). For a foreign-flagged vessel the application goes only to the court of the place where she is anchored, moored, berthed or slipped (TCC art. 1355), and the nearest consulate of the flag state is notified on the business day after execution (TCC art. 1366(4)).

What happens if the vessel is about to sail?

Until an order exists nothing stops her, which is why the vessel details matter more than a complete file. Once the order is made the enforcement office executes it immediately, at night and on public holidays if necessary (TCC art. 1365). If she has already sailed, an order against a foreign-flagged vessel can be enforced with the help of the coast guard until she leaves Turkish territorial waters (TCC art. 1367).

Who pays the costs of the arrest?

The claimant lodges the security of 10,000 SDR (TCC art. 1363) and pays the court and enforcement fees to start; these are advanced, not lost. The maritime lien and the arrest secure principal, interest and the costs of enforcement and proceedings (TCC art. 1322). If the arrest proves unjustified, the owner's damages are claimed against the claimant before the arrest court (TCC art. 1361). Our own fee is set out in the fee proposal after the conflict check.

Can the owner claim damages for a wrongful arrest?

Yes. The court that ordered the arrest hears the owner's damages claim against a claimant whose arrest proves unjustified; where proceedings on the merits are pending, their outcome is awaited first (TCC art. 1361). The owner can also ask that court at any stage to increase the claimant's security to reflect the vessel's daily running costs and lost earnings (TCC art. 1363(2)).

Ports where we attend

Where the vessel is decides the court, the enforcement office and the timing. Istanbul directly; other ports through correspondent counsel.

Istanbul / Ambarlı Tuzla İzmit / Kocaeli Gemlik Tekirdağ Çanakkale İzmir / Aliağa Bodrum Marmaris Fethiye / Göcek Antalya Mersin İskenderun Samsun Trabzon

Vessel in a Turkish port? Send the name, IMO number and port.

Send the vessel details Which court for your port?How instructions work

Turkish Commercial Code (Law No. 6102)

Article

Article 1320 — Maritime liens — the list

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

Lists the claims that carry a maritime lien: crew wages and other sums due for service, loss of life or injury, salvage, port, canal, quarantine and pilotage dues, tort damage and general average.

Original wording (excerpt)

gemi adamlarına … ödenecek ücretlere ve diğer tutarlara ilişkin istem haklarıTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1321 — Effect of a maritime lien

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

A maritime lien gives its holder a statutory pledge over the vessel and her appurtenances, which can be asserted against anyone in possession of the vessel.

Original wording (excerpt)

Gemi alacağı, sahibine, gemi ve eklentisi üzerinde kanuni rehin hakkı verirTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1322 — What the maritime lien secures

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The lien secures principal, interest and the costs of enforcement and proceedings in the same way.

Original wording (excerpt)

ana parayı, faizi, takip ve yargılama giderlerini aynı surette temin ederTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1323 — Rank of maritime liens

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The maritime liens listed in art. 1320(1)(a)–(e) rank ahead of all statutory and contractual charges on the vessel, mortgages included.

Original wording (excerpt)

(a) ilâ (e) … bütün kanuni ve akdî rehin haklarıyla ayni yükümlülüklerden önce gelirTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1326 — Lien lapses after one year

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

A maritime lien lapses at the end of one year unless the vessel has been arrested within that year and then sold by forced sale.

Original wording (excerpt)

bir yılın sonunda düşer; meğerki … gemi ihtiyaten haczedilmiş ve … cebrî icra yolu ile satılmış olsunTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1352 — Maritime claims

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

Defines a 'maritime claim' as a claim arising from one or more of the matters listed in the article, (a) to (y) — the gateway to arrest.

Original wording (excerpt)

'Deniz alacağı'; aşağıda sayılan hususların birinden veya birkaçından doğan istemTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1353 — Arrest — the only interim measure

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

For a maritime claim only the arrest of the vessel can be ordered: no injunction or other interim measure, and no arrest for claims that are not maritime claims. A maritime claim under art. 1352 is itself the ground for arrest.

Original wording (excerpt)

sadece ihtiyati haczine karar verilebilir … ihtiyati tedbir … istenemezTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1355 — Court of the place where she lies

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

For a foreign-flagged vessel, only the court of the place where she is anchored, moored at a buoy or dolphin, berthed or slipped can order the arrest.

Original wording (excerpt)

yabancı bayraklı gemiler hakkında ihtiyati haciz kararı, sadece, geminin demir attığı, şamandıraya veya tonoza bağlandığı, yanaştığı ya da kızağa alındığı yer mahkemesi tarafından verilirTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1356 — Arbitration or foreign jurisdiction clause

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The Turkish court keeps the power to order an arrest even where an arbitral tribunal or a foreign court has jurisdiction over the claim or foreign law applies to it.

Original wording (excerpt)

hakem kurulu veya yabancı mahkeme yetkili olsa yahut … yabancı bir devletin hukuku uygulansa bile … ihtiyati haciz kararı vermeye yetkilidirTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1357 — Proceedings pending abroad

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

If an action is pending before arbitrators or a foreign court, the arrest can be ordered, until final judgment, only by the courts named in arts 1354 and 1355.

Original wording (excerpt)

hakem önünde veya yurt dışındaki bir mahkemede dava açılmışsa, kesin hüküm verilinceye kadar ihtiyati haciz kararı, sadece 1354 ve 1355 … yetkili olan mahkemeden istenebilirTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1358 — Objection and the securities

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

A party against whom the arrest was ordered in its absence may object to the court that made the order; the same court decides requests to increase, reduce, change or cancel the securities lodged by either side.

Original wording (excerpt)

teminatların artırılması veya azaltılması, türünün değiştirilmesi veya iptaliTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1359 — Merits after the arrest

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

Unless there is a jurisdiction or arbitration agreement, the court that ordered the arrest hears the action on the merits and the enforcement office that executed it conducts the enforcement.

Original wording (excerpt)

yetki veya tahkim sözleşmesi yoksa, ihtiyati haczi tamamlamak üzere açılacak dava hakkında ve … icra dairesi de icra takibi hakkında yetkilidirTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1360 — Enforcing a foreign judgment or award

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The arrest court has jurisdiction to enforce a foreign judgment or arbitral award on the claim while the vessel is within its district or the release security is held by the court.

Original wording (excerpt)

geminin o Türk mahkemesinin yargı çevresinde bulunması veya … teminatın … mahkeme kasasında bulunmasıTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1361 — Wrongful arrest

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The court that ordered the arrest also hears the owner's damages claim against a claimant whose arrest proves unjustified; proceedings on the merits pending in Türkiye or abroad are awaited first.

Original wording (excerpt)

haksız çıkan alacaklı aleyhine açılacak tazminat davasını da görmeye yetkilidirTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1362 — Evidence that satisfies the court

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

It is enough to put before the court evidence that satisfies it that the claim is a maritime claim and of its money value.

Original wording (excerpt)

deniz alacaklarından olduğu ve parasal değeri hakkında mahkemeye kanaat getirecek delil göstermesi yeterlidirTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1363 — Security from the claimant — 10,000 SDR

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The claimant must lodge security of 10,000 Special Drawing Rights. The owner may ask the court to increase it (daily running costs and lost earnings), seafarers with a wage lien are exempt, and the claimant may ask for it to be reduced.

Original wording (excerpt)

10.000 Özel Çekme Hakkı tutarında teminat vermesi zorunludurTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1364 — Three business days

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The claimant must ask the enforcement office to execute the order within three business days; otherwise the order lapses of itself.

Original wording (excerpt)

üç iş günü içinde … icra dairesinden kararın infazını istemek zorundadır. Aksi hâlde … kendiliğinden kalkarTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1365 — Immediate execution

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The enforcement office executes the arrest at once on request; it may do so at night and on public holidays.

Original wording (excerpt)

gece ve resmî tatil sayılan zamanlarda da yapılırTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1366 — Custody and notifications

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The vessel is barred from sailing and taken into custody whatever her flag or registry and left with a custodian; the coast guard or police, the harbour master and customs are notified at once, the registry and the nearest consulate of the flag state next.

Original wording (excerpt)

bayrağı ve hangi sicile kayıtlı oldukları dikkate alınmaksızın … seferden menedilerek muhafaza altına alınırTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1367 — A vessel that has already sailed

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

An order against a foreign-flagged vessel can be executed with the help of the coast guard until she leaves Turkish territorial waters.

Original wording (excerpt)

sahil güvenlik komutanlığının yardımı alınarak, gemi Türk karasularını terkedinceye kadar uygulanabilirTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1368 — Scope of the arrest

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The arrest also covers the income and benefits the debtor earns from operating the vessel; the enforcement office takes every step needed for her management, operation, maintenance and protection.

Original wording (excerpt)

idaresi ve işletilmesi ile bakımı ve korunması için gerekli her türde önlemi alırTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1369 — Which vessel can be arrested

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

Sets which vessel can be arrested for a maritime claim — broadly one owned by the person liable, with rules for demise charterers and charterers; in an ownership or possession dispute only the vessel in dispute can be arrested.

Original wording (excerpt)

sadece bu uyuşmazlığın konusu olan gemiTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1370 — Release against security

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The vessel is released when her value is deposited or security is given by a mortgage on land, a ship mortgage or a guarantee from a reputable bank; other maritime claimants may join the arrest until the security is withdrawn from the enforcement office.

Original wording (excerpt)

geminin değeri depo edilmek veya … taşınmaz rehni, gemi ipoteği veya itibarlı bir banka kefaletiTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1371 — Release by the court against security

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The court may lift the arrest if sufficient security is given for the whole maritime claim with interest and costs; once enforcement has begun this power passes to the enforcement court.

Original wording (excerpt)

deniz alacağının tamamı, faizi ve giderler için yeterli teminat göstererek … kaldırılmasınıTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1372 — Security agreed between the parties

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The kind and amount of the security can be agreed freely between the claimant and the owner or bareboat charterer — the route for a P&I club letter.

Original wording (excerpt)

teminatın tür ve miktarı, alacaklı ile geminin maliki veya … donatanı arasında serbestçe kararlaştırılabilirTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1373 — Security is not an admission

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

Giving security to release the vessel is not an admission of liability or a waiver of defences or of the right to limit liability.

Original wording (excerpt)

sorumluluğun kabulü veya … def'iden ya da sorumluluğun sınırlandırılması hakkından vazgeçilmesi şeklinde yorumlanamazTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1374 — Varying the release security

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The party that gave security may at any time ask the court to reduce it, change its kind or cancel it.

Original wording (excerpt)

her zaman, bu teminatın miktarının azaltılması, türünün değiştirilmesi veya iptali için mahkemeye başvurabilirTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1375 — No second arrest for the same claim

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

A vessel that has been arrested and released, or for which security has been given, cannot normally be arrested again for the same claim; the exceptions are insufficient security, a security provider who fails, and a release the claimant could not reasonably prevent.

Original wording (excerpt)

hukuka aykırı yollarla … kaçması hâllerinde … serbest bırakılmış sayılmazTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1376 — One month for the merits

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The periods of art. 264(1)–(2) of the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law are one month for ship arrests: proceedings on the merits must be started within one month of execution.

Original wording (excerpt)

İcra ve İflas Kanununun 264 üncü maddesinin birinci ve ikinci fıkralarında öngörülen süreler, gemilerin ihtiyati haczinde bir ay olarak uygulanırTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1383 — Sale follows the rules for land

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The forced sale of a vessel follows the enforcement rules on the sale of immovable property, with the special rules of the Code.

Original wording (excerpt)

taşınmazların satışına ilişkin hükümlereTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Article 1386 — Early sale

In force · wording checked against the official text, 17 September 2026

What it means

The court may order an early sale where the vessel's value is falling fast, her upkeep is too costly, or she or her cargo endangers people, property or the environment.

Original wording (excerpt)

değeri hızla düşer veya korunması fazla masraflı olurTurkish original, excerpt. The English wording above is ours, not an official translation.

Where it matters on this site

Ship arrest

Information, not advice. The full article and its context decide the case; ask us before relying on it.

Ship arrest in Türkiye

What is a ship arrest in Türkiye?

Which claims qualify?

Which vessel can be arrested?

How does the procedure work?

Send the vessel details

Conflict check and fee proposal

Instruction and power of attorney

Filing and attendance

What we file

Execution at the port

What does the court ask for?

Security from the claimant

How long does it take?

Can the vessel be released?

After the arrest

Wrongful arrest

Re-arrest and sale

Maritime liens

Documents we need from you

Common questions

Ports where we attend

Vessel in a Turkish port? Send the name, IMO number and port.