Statistical analysis of vessel waiting times in the Istanbul Strait: Evidence from operational data

Emin Deniz Özkan

doi:10.33714/masteb.1930690

Statistical analysis of vessel waiting times in the Istanbul Strait: Evidence from operational data

Abstract

Vessel waiting time is a crucial indicator of operational efficiency in maritime transport. This study statistically examined vessel waiting times for transit passage in the Istanbul Strait, one of the world’s busiest and most strategic waterways, using operational records from 2023 and 2024. After data cleaning, 76,916 transit records were analysed. Since the waiting time distribution was markedly right skewed, the analysis focused on median, interquartile range (IQR), and upper percentiles. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for group comparisons, and Spearman’s rank correlation was used to examine the relationship between waiting time and vessel length. A general linear model was also used to evaluate the explanatory variables jointly using log-transformed waiting time. According to the results, the clearest difference among the binary variables was observed for pilotage, with piloted vessels experiencing longer waiting times. Weaker differences were found for tug assistance, dangerous cargo status, and transit direction. Waiting times also differed across vessel type groups and showed a positive but weak relationship with vessel length. In addition, waiting times varied by season, with higher values in winter and spring and lower values in summer. These findings may provide an empirical reference for decision makers and stakeholders in evaluating waiting time patterns and identifying vessel, operational, and seasonal conditions associated with longer waiting times in the Istanbul Strait.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

For this type of study, formal consent is not required.

Thanks

The author would like to thank the Directorate General of Coastal Safety, operating under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye, for providing the operational data used in this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Marine Transportation

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Emin Deniz Özkan ^*
0000-0001-8489-4707
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

June 15, 2026

Publication Date

June 25, 2026

Submission Date

April 15, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 8, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1930690

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA25MX35WP

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Özkan, E. D. (2026). Statistical analysis of vessel waiting times in the Istanbul Strait: Evidence from operational data. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, 15(2), 91-101. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1930690

AMA

1.Özkan ED. Statistical analysis of vessel waiting times in the Istanbul Strait: Evidence from operational data. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2026;15(2):91-101. doi:10.33714/masteb.1930690

Chicago

Özkan, Emin Deniz. 2026. “Statistical Analysis of Vessel Waiting Times in the Istanbul Strait: Evidence from Operational Data”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 15 (2): 91-101. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1930690.

EndNote

Özkan ED (June 1, 2026) Statistical analysis of vessel waiting times in the Istanbul Strait: Evidence from operational data. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 15 2 91–101.

IEEE

[1]E. D. Özkan, “Statistical analysis of vessel waiting times in the Istanbul Strait: Evidence from operational data”, Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull., vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 91–101, June 2026, doi: 10.33714/masteb.1930690.

ISNAD

Özkan, Emin Deniz. “Statistical Analysis of Vessel Waiting Times in the Istanbul Strait: Evidence from Operational Data”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 15/2 (June 1, 2026): 91-101. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1930690.

JAMA

1.Özkan ED. Statistical analysis of vessel waiting times in the Istanbul Strait: Evidence from operational data. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2026;15:91–101.

MLA

Özkan, Emin Deniz. “Statistical Analysis of Vessel Waiting Times in the Istanbul Strait: Evidence from Operational Data”. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 91-101, doi:10.33714/masteb.1930690.

Vancouver

1.Emin Deniz Özkan. Statistical analysis of vessel waiting times in the Istanbul Strait: Evidence from operational data. Mar. Sci. Tech. Bull. 2026 Jun. 1;15(2):91-101. doi:10.33714/masteb.1930690