On 17 August the ship was towed through the Bosphorus under escort by Turkish salvage tugs. Traffic was suspended in both directions for the passage. Confirmed by Turkish press (Haberler, Medya Gazete).

This is one more hull in the current phase of the Black Sea grain war. Both Russia and Ukraine have been striking ships and terminals linked to the other’s grain exports. Ukrainian attacks have taken most Russian Azov–Black Sea grain capacity offline. Russian attacks have stopped most commercial calls at Ukrainian Black Sea ports. Global grain shipments have fallen; Black Sea grain volumes are sharply down.

Ukraine offered a reciprocal moratorium on attacks against ships in the Black Sea. Russia refused. The desk reads the New Victory tow and the continued terminal shutdowns as the operational result of that refusal.

Established

• New Victory (IMO 9159050) attacked 24 July while bound for Taman; bridge and engine damaged (Turkish press).
• Towed through the Bosphorus 17 August; temporary two-way traffic stop (Turkish press).
• Mutual targeting of grain logistics continues; Ukraine’s proposed ship-strike moratorium was refused by Russia (named press / BIMCO).

Not established

• Official Ukrainian claim naming this specific hull.
• Cargo on board New Victory.
• That the Bosphorus suspension was anything other than a temporary safety measure for the tow.
• Exact remaining Russian or Ukrainian grain export capacity this week.