"Fleece & Release": I Have a Ship I'd Like to Sell You, in Kandıra

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 14 July 2026)

     "...and it will fit under the bridge I'd like to sell you."

A decision has been made to hold a tender for the sale of the 81-meter-

long, Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship 'RAPID', which ran aground off the 

coast of Kandıra district on September 18, 2025. The ship, which has 

been idle for approximately 9 months and 25 days, will be offered for 

sale through an open bidding process with an estimated price of 

7,411,754 TL. (about $157,500). 

The 'RAPID', carrying 2,135 tons of gypsum and en route from Bartın 

to Ukraine, ran aground on September 18, 2025, in the Pembe Kayalıklar 

area of ​​Kefken, Kandıra district. The crew, consisting of 6 Ukrainians 

and 1 Iranian, were rescued by helicopter due to strong winds and rough 

waves.  Subsequently, another ship equipped with a crane was used to 

unload the 2,135 tons of gypsum.

"Oh, you want details? Here you go..."

A decision has been made to hold a tender to sell the ship .According to 

the tender notice published by the Kefken Port Authority, the dry cargo 

ship named RAPID, built in 1991, 81.07 meters long, 11.30 meters wide, 

5.40 meters deep, 1574 GRT, flying the Tanzanian flag and bearing IMO 

number 8919233, is being offered for sale in its current location. The 

notice states that the ship, which drifted and ran aground on September 18, 

2025, and has been anchored in the Kefken Island area since November 

14, 2025, within the administrative area of ​​the Kefken Port Authority, will 

be sold through an open bidding process in accordance with Article 7 of 

the Ports Law No. 618 and the State Tender Law No. 2886.

It was announced that the tender specifications can be obtained from the 

Kocaeli Regional Port Authority upon payment of 10,000 TL to the 

Vakıfbank Emek Branch of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure 

Revolving Fund, with the explanation "Tender File Fee," and presentation 

of the receipt. The tender will be held on Monday, July 27th, at 4:00 PM 

in the meeting room on the 2nd floor of the Kocaeli Regional Port Authority, 

by the Kefken Port Authority using the Open Bidding Procedure. The 

estimated sale price of the vessel is 7,411,754 TL, and the provisional 

guarantee deposit is 222,353.62 TL.