The team of Şakir Semizoğlu, candidate for President of the Çanakkale Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ÇTSO), announced they are working on a project to establish a regular passenger and vehicle ferry line between Çanakkale and Alexandroupoli, Greece. This proposal currently stands as an election promise, without any commenced voyages, announced schedules, or designated operator. It is important for passengers searching for a ferry service on this route to know that a direct connection does not yet exist.
Announcement from ÇTSO Candidate Şakir Semizoğlu's Team
ÇTSO Presidential Candidate Şakir Semizoğlu's Team stated that the project is being led by 15th Committee Council Member candidate Mehmet Işık. The team suggested that the long queues experienced at border gates in Edirne (claimed to sometimes reach 24 or even 36 hours) could be alleviated by this new ferry line. The main objectives of the project include encouraging expatriates arriving from Europe and tourists traveling via Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania to visit Çanakkale, spend more time in the city, and thus contribute to the local economy. The statement emphasized the city's tourism potential with the phrase, "Çanakkale will not just be a city passed through, but a strong stop on the European route."
It is important to note that this information is based on a public statement shared by the candidate's election team. The ÇTSO elections will be held in November 2026, and this project is not yet an official decision or application process of the chamber. Passengers and interested parties are advised to follow official announcements for the line to actually become operational.
Current Status: No Direct Ferry Connection Between Çanakkale and Alexandroupoli
Currently, there is no regular ferry service to Turkey from Alexandroupoli Port. The port primarily serves islands within Greece. Services are operated from here to destinations such as Samothraki, Lemnos, and Ai Stratis. For example, the Alexandroupoli–Samothraki crossing operated by Fast Ferries takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
The only existing sea connection from Çanakkale to Greece is the Lemnos line departing from Kepez Port. This line takes approximately 2.5 hours and carries passengers only; vehicle passage is not permitted. This indicates that the proposed Çanakkale–Alexandroupoli line, with its "vehicle transport" feature, would create a significant difference from the existing Lemnos line.
Border Gate Waiting Times and Claims
The claim of 24-36 hour border gate waiting times mentioned in the statement does not fully align with current measurements. According to reports dated August 20, 2026, the waiting time for exit from Turkey at Kapıkule Border Gate was recorded as 5-6 hours, for exit at İpsala Border Gate as 4-5 hours, and for entry into Turkey as 45 minutes. While these times peak especially during pre-holiday periods and return-from-vacation weeks, they can vary hourly.
The real-time status of queues at border gates can be monitored via official cameras updated approximately every 10 minutes by the Ministry of Trade Thracian Regional Directorate. Passengers are advised to check the current situation when making their travel plans.
Çanakkale – Alexandroupoli Route: Road vs. Sea Comparison
To evaluate the potential advantages of the proposed ferry line, it would be beneficial to compare the existing road route with the sea route option:
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Road: Çanakkale → İpsala Border Gate | ~147 km | ~1 hour 50 minutes |
| Road: İpsala → Alexandroupoli | ~55 km | ~45 minutes |
| Total Road | ~202 km | ~2.5 hours + border waiting |
| Sea route (as the crow flies) | ~90 km / 49 nautical miles | no announced voyages |
The sea distance above is calculated as the crow flies; the actual navigation route will be longer due to factors such as exiting the Çanakkale Strait and navigating around Gökçeada–Saros. Since the vessel type, frequency of voyages, or estimated travel time for the proposed line have not yet been announced, it is not possible to provide a realistic sea travel duration. Therefore, passengers must only consider the road alternative when making their travel plans.
Steps Required to Establish a New Ferry Line
Establishing a new regular ferry line between Turkey and Greece is not merely a commercial decision but requires extensive administrative and logistical processes. Based on the experience of existing international lines, the following key items must be completed for a line to become actually operational:
- Ports in both countries must have border gate status and establish passport and customs units.
- The transportation authorities of both countries must provide official approval for the line's opening.
- An appropriate shipping company and a vessel of sufficient tonnage must be identified to operate the line.
- If vehicle transport is to be offered, the necessary pier infrastructure, such as ro-ro ramps, must be available at the ports.
As seen during the opening process of the previous Çanakkale–Lemnos line, a preparatory period lasting months elapsed from the initial announcements to the actual first commercial voyage. Therefore, a similar process can be expected for the Çanakkale–Alexandroupoli line to become operational.
Why is feribotseferleri.com.tr Publishing This Announcement?
Ferry line promises frequently come to the agenda, especially during election periods, and can sometimes be reflected to the public with misleading information such as "new line opened." The potential for a new international ferry line from an important hub like Çanakkale generates significant interest for our passengers and the maritime sector. This page has been prepared to accurately convey the statement from ÇTSO Presidential Candidate Şakir Semizoğlu's Team, along with its source, and to clarify which services are actually operational as of today.
Our aim is to avoid speculation and provide our passengers with current and verifiable information. Should this proposed line become operational, with an official schedule or operator announced, this page will be immediately updated, and all details will be published on feribotseferleri.com.tr.