Ship provisions in the Dardanelles (Çanakkale): a guide for masters and agents

The Dardanelles, known in Türkiye as the Çanakkale Strait, is a waterway of about 61 kilometres linking the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara. Most ships trading between the Black Sea ports and the Mediterranean pass through it. According to the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, 44,468 ships passed through the Dardanelles in 2025 (source in Turkish).

This heavy traffic makes the strait a natural stop for provisions and fresh produce. In this article we explain how and when to send your requisition while passing Çanakkale or waiting here, and how delivery is planned.

In transit or at anchor?

Some ships pass through the strait without stopping; others wait at the anchorages for a while for a pilot, the weather or cargo instructions. How easy delivery is depends on this:

• Ship waiting at anchor: Delivery is made by boat while the ship waits. This is the easiest case to plan.
• Ship in transit: Delivery is only possible if the ship can wait briefly or slow down. The place and time are agreed with the ship’s agent and the authorities.

Whichever applies, the earlier you send the list, the more options the supplier has.

When should you send the list?

A list sent 24 to 48 hours before the estimated arrival gives the supplier enough time to gather the products, buy fresh produce at the morning market and plan the delivery boat. Lists that arrive at shorter notice can often be met too, although some items may need substitutes.

Sharing the following with the list speeds things up:

• Ship name and IMO number
• Estimated time of arrival (ETA) and expected delivery place
• Name and contact details of the ship’s agent
• E-mail address of the master or the purser

How is delivery planned?

Delivery is usually coordinated with the ship’s agent: the agent handles port and customs formalities, and the supplier prepares the products and the delivery boat. On delivery the products are counted, the delivery note is signed on behalf of the ship and is often stamped with the ship’s stamp.

When fixing the delivery time, the ship’s waiting time, the weather and sea state, and the position where the boat can come alongside all need to be taken into account. Sharing this information with the list reduces last-minute surprises.

Customs and documents

Provisions delivered to ships on international voyages are subject to customs procedures. The supplier and the agent prepare the required documents; the ship’s part is to check and sign the delivery note. Details can vary with the ship and the cargo, so following your agent’s guidance is the best course.

Fresh produce

Vegetables, fruit, bread and dairy are bought as close to delivery as possible. Grouping them in a separate section of the list and writing acceptable substitutes makes the supplier’s job easier. Short notes such as “tomatoes, otherwise vine tomatoes” or “local-brand milk only” reduce the risk of the wrong product.

Sending your list with Shiporax

Shiporax is software that ship chandlers use to read lists quickly and prepare quotes. It is free for ships: you send your list in your own language and in whatever format you have (Excel, PDF or a photo), and a local supplier using Shiporax sends the priced quote in your language. The first service area is Çanakkale; new ports open one by one as suppliers join.

In short

• Waiting at anchor makes delivery easier; in transit, delivery is planned with the agent.
• Send the list 24 to 48 hours before the estimated arrival.
• Add the ship’s name, IMO number, ETA and agent to the list.
• Group fresh produce in a separate section and write substitutes.
• For documents, follow your agent’s guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Can we take provisions while transiting the strait?

If the ship can wait briefly or anchor, delivery can be made by boat. The place and time need to be planned with the ship's agent and the authorities; sending the list early gives you more options.

In which language will the quote come?

Ship chandlers using Shiporax prepare the quote in the language your list came in and send it as PDF and Excel.