An Analysis of Ship Waiting Times at Bozcaada Anchorage Area

In this study, the waiting times of vessels that voluntarily anchored at the Bozcaada Anchorage Area, located at the southern entrance of the Çanakkale Strait, during the year 2024 were analyzed. The main objective of the study is to reveal the dynamics of maritime traffic in the region, compare waiting times among different ship types and flag states, and examine their relationship with anchorage fees. The dataset consists of vessels with anchorage durations between 72-168 hours and over 168 hours. The analysis evaluates variables such as ship type, gross tonnage, length, flag, fee, and anchorage duration. According to the findings, oil/chemical tankers had the longest average anchorage duration, with approximately 43 days, followed by bulk carriers. In terms of flag states, ships registered under countries such as Vietnam, São Tomé & Príncipe, and Indonesia were observed to remain at anchor longer than those of other nations. Additionally, a significant increase in the number of ships anchoring was observed during the summer months, particularly between May and September. A positive correlation was identified between anchorage duration and fee, indicating that vessels staying longer paid higher fees. These results provide important insights into maritime traffic management, anchorage planning, and economic efficiency.