Transit Log
A transit log is the mandatory record of a yacht's movements, crew, and passengers in Turkish waters. It is required for all foreign-flagged yachts cruising or chartering in Türkiye and must be presented at each port of entry and harbour master's office, including Bodrum, Göcek, and Istanbul.
Definition
Transit log is the mandatory Turkish maritime document that records a yacht's movements, crew, and passengers in Turkish waters for customs and harbour authority compliance.
What is a Transit Log?
A Transit Log is the mandatory Turkish maritime document required for all foreign-flagged yachts cruising in Turkish territorial waters. Its official name is the sailing permit (seyir izin belgesi) under Turkey's Marine Tourism Regulation; its form is set by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, it can be issued electronically, border entry and exit formalities are completed on it, and movements between Turkish ports are made with harbour master approval. The Transit Log records the vessel's identity, the crew list, the passenger list, and the vessel's movements (ports of departure and arrival). Failure to obtain or maintain a Transit Log can result in fines and prohibition of further cruising in Turkish waters. It is one of the first documents Turkish authorities ask to see during any official boarding.
Who Needs a Transit Log?
All foreign-flagged vessels — whether private yachts, charter yachts, or superyachts — entering Turkish waters must obtain a Transit Log on arrival at the first Turkish port of entry. Turkish-flagged private yachts do not need one for voyages between Turkish ports. The obligation applies regardless of vessel size. Foreign-flagged yachts may be used in Turkey only for non-commercial pleasure use; foreign-flagged commercial yachts over 39 metres can apply to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for a temporary operating permit.
First port of entry
The Transit Log is obtained at the first Turkish port of call — yachts must enter and leave Turkey through a sea border gate, where the border formalities are completed on the Transit Log. Check that your intended first port operates as a border gate before arrival.
Crew and passenger changes
Any change to the crew or passenger list during the Turkish cruise must be recorded in the Transit Log at the nearest harbour master's office. Adding or removing persons without updating the Transit Log is a violation.
How to Obtain a Transit Log
On arrival at the first Turkish port, the owner, operator, captain or a ship agent completes and signs the Transit Log declaration, which covers the vessel, customs, crew, passengers, passports, health formalities and the planned voyage. Have the vessel's registration documents, crew and passenger lists, and valid passports for all persons on board ready. Turkish ship agents (often called transit log agents) handle the full process and are strongly recommended for first-time entrants or vessels with complex crew arrangements; their fees vary by port and vessel.
Transit Log Validity and Renewal
A Transit Log covers the voyage declared on it in Turkish waters; the voyage is closed by handing the onboard copy to the harbour master or notifying through the electronic system, and the harbour master must be notified within 12 hours of the voyage ending. For a foreign-flagged yacht wintering at a licensed marina, the Transit Log stays valid for the wintering period, and foreign-flagged yachts may be left at licensed marinas for wintering, maintenance or repair for up to five years. The fee is set by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the rules are amended from time to time — checking with a local agent before arrival is advisable.
Transit Log and Charter Operations in Turkey
Under the Marine Tourism Regulation, foreign-flagged yachts in Turkish waters may be used only for non-commercial pleasure purposes, and guests may be taken on board only without any payment. Foreign-flagged commercial yachts over 39 metres can be given a temporary permit by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, against a contribution fee and for no longer than the same calendar year, in addition to the Transit Log. Without that permit, charter operations by foreign-flagged yachts are illegal in Turkish waters. Turkish ship agents specialising in yacht documentation can advise on both the Transit Log and the permit process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Manage Transit Log in HelmOps
Yacht expenses, maintenance, tasks and trips in one place. Records you add offline sync when the connection returns.
Log voyages, port calls and tank readings
Record ports, ETA/ETD, weather, sea state and tank levels. Departures, arrivals and tank readings can be entered offline and sync later.
No credit card required.
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