TRNC Transport Ministry allows Filo Denizcilik vessel to sail to Mersin for inspection only

The dry cargo vessel «Şampiyon Melekler» («Champion Angels») operated by Filo Denizcilik left the port of Famagusta at 22:40 and headed to Mersin without cargo. The TRNC Ministry of Public Works and Transport clarified that the voyage is solely related to extending the vessel’s classification certificate and cannot be regarded as the resumption of the company’s regular operations.

According to the ministry, the vessel will undergo a technical inspection in Mersin by Türk Loydu, the classification society that certifies the vessel’s compliance with safety requirements. In addition to the extension of its class, the vessel will undergo a comprehensive survey and a port state control inspection. The vessel will be able to return with cargo only after successfully passing all the inspections.

Filo Denizcilik’s maritime services from the TRNC have been suspended since the FiloJet catamaran disaster off Kyrenia, in which 14 people died and another 14 remain missing.

The vessel was granted permission to sail on the same night that Faiz Sucuoğlu took over as TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transport: the government had undergone reshuffles the previous day, while former minister Erhan Arıklı lost his post following the disaster. The decision raised questions in political circles.

Earlier, the TRNC Chamber of Commerce warned that the idling of trucks and containers on the Mersin–Famagusta route after the suspension of services was hurting the economy of Northern Cyprus.