Turkey To Close Bosphorus Strait For 12 Hours

The Turkish government will close the Bosphorus strait to sea traffic for ships over 3,000 tons for 12 hours from 1600 GMT on December 31 to minimize possible effects from the millennium bug problem in computers. Ships over 3,000 tons will not be allowed to pass through the strait from 1600 GMT on December 31, 1999 to 0400 GMT on January 1, 2000 for traffic safety. Ships longer than 200 m will not be allowed to sail through the 19-mile-long strait unless they provide millennium compliance certificates and ensure that their cargo is not dangerous.