45 Strategies for Policy in Science and Education Volume 31, Number 3s, 2023 Стратегии на образователната и научната политика THE RISK ANALYSIS OF CHEMICAL TANKERS PASSING THROUGH THE TURKISH STRAITS BETWEEN 2010 – 2022 Prof. Dimitar Dimitrakiev, Dr. Dobrin Milev Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy Dr. Ergun Gunes Essex, UK Abstract. This analysis aims to highlight the risk created by the chemical tankers by comparing their movements in the Turkish straits. This information is based on actual ship movements from south to north and the return voyage, showing the prominence of chemical tankers passing through the straits between 2010 and 2022 and underlining the importance of the Turkish Straits. Istanbul Bosporus transit passages are being regulated by the Montreux Convention 1 , signed 84 years ago. As per the convention, international shipping provided safe and seaworthy ships, has the right of free passage through the Straits in peacetime. Since the convention has been in force, the volume and frequency of the ships have increased almost tenfold, an interesting correlation on average, there were13 passages in a day in 1938; which increased to 65 by1985 and 115 by 2019. The main reason for this increase is said to be the hydrocarbon reserves of the Caspian Region 2 . As the number of passages increased enormously, so did the physical risk to shipping and the environmental and biological risk to local species. In order to minimise any possible risks and provide safer and environmentally friendly trafc, Turkish authorities have had to adopt Maritime Trafc Regulations for the Turkish Straits on 15/08/2019 (VTS – Vessel Trafc System) 3 . Keywords: risk analysis; chemical tankers; Turkey 1. Introduction The Turkish Straits are natural waterways with a total length of 164 nautical miles, where the Istanbul Strait is 17 Nm, the length of the Marmara Sea 110 Nm and the Canakkale strait 37 Nm. Because of the strategic location, the straits are vital for the global economy, particularly for the Black Sea countries. The famous Russian lawyer “Frederic de Martens” 4 pointed out the importance of the straits as follows (Turan 2004): The Turkish Straits are one of the busiest and narrowest natural waterways in the world. They are located in a very strategic area that connects the Black Sea with Research Results Резултати от научни изследвания https://doi.org/10.53656/str2023-3s-3-the