Overview
- The vessel turned back to Turkey on Sunday evening after waiting off Sochi for more than two days without permission to disembark.
- Two Turkish citizens left the ship in Trabzon, while 18 Russian passengers are staying aboard to catch flights scheduled for Monday.
- SVC Shipping and partner Liderline said they are providing airline tickets at company expense and supplied passengers with free three meals a day during the delay.
- The ferry departed Trabzon on November 5, entered Russia's internal waters and was inspected on November 7, yet disembarkation was not authorized.
- Krasnodar authorities cited unresolved safety and procedural issues, as the operator maintains the Sochi–Trabzon line is registered through 2027 and notes a prior October 16 test voyage ended due to technical problems.