ZIM confirmed on Monday that Turkish authorities have barred Israeli-linked vessels from entering the country’s ports, in the latest escalation of Ankara’s sanctions against Israel.

The Haifa-based line, the world’s ninth-largest container carrier, said that vessels that are either owned, managed or operated by an entity related to Israel will not be permitted to berth in Turkish ports. The move also covers cargoes bound for, or originating in Israel. 

Already one ZIM vessel has been turned away from Istanbul and diverted to Piraeus, leaving cargo bound for Turkey in limbo.

The regulation also bars Turkish-flagged vessels from calling at Israeli ports and prohibits ships carrying military cargo destined for Israel from entering Turkish harbours. The restrictions build on a trade ban first announced in May 2024, when Ankara suspended $7bn in bilateral commerce and halted dozens of product categories in protest against Israel’s war in Gaza.

Other carriers are seeking clarification from Turkish authorities on whether their services could be impacted.