Purpose of the Canal Istanbul Project
The Bosphorus, where approximately 43,000 vessels pass annually, is a natural waterway with the narrowest point of 698 meters. The increase in the vessel traffic, the expansion of vessel sizes as a result of technological developments and especially the rise in vessel (tanker) transit carrying fuel and other dangerous/poisonous substances create great pressure and threat on Istanbul.
The Bosphorus has sharp turns and strong currents that compromise maritime transportation as well as an intra-city sea traffic that intersects vertically with the transit vessel traffic. Hundreds of thousands of inhabitants live on the two shores of the Bosphorus. During the day, Bosphorus serves as a trade, living and transit route for millions of Istanbulites. Each year, the Bosphorus is becoming more and more dangerous for transit vessel traffic. The annual number of vessel transits rose from 3-4 thousand 100 years ago to 45-50 thousand today. The average waiting time for large vessels in the Bosphorus is 14.5 hours. The waiting time may sometimes reach 3-4 days.
Within this framework, it has been required to plan an alternative passage corridor to the Bosphorus. Canal Istanbul will prevent the 90-degree intersection of the intra-city lines - that carry 500 thousand passengers on a daily basis - with transit vessels, thus providing a safe journey. Moreover, it will be ensured that the share of sea route in intra-city transportation will be increased.
In this context, the purpose of the Canal Istanbul Project is to:
- preserve the historical texture and safety along the Bosphorus,
- decrease the traffic burden of the Bosphorus,
- ensure the traffic safety of the Bosphorus,
- provide the navigation safety,
- establish a modern settlement based on a new international waterway and horizontal architecture.