Urgent: Stranded Oil Tanker Off Bulgaria After Ukrainian Strike

UPDATE: A major incident has unfolded off the coast of Bulgaria as the oil tanker Kairos remains stranded following a suspected Ukrainian naval drone attack. The Bulgarian Maritime Agency confirmed on September 30, 2023, that efforts are underway to evacuate the crew trapped on the vessel near the port of Ahtopol.

The Gambian-flagged 274-meter tanker, which is believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” aimed at evading international sanctions, caught fire last week while sailing empty from Egypt to Novorossiysk, Russia. It was sanctioned by the EU in July 2023, with additional sanctions from the U.K. and Switzerland.

The 149,000-ton vessel entered Bulgarian waters under tow by a Turkish ship on September 29, but this mission was abruptly abandoned, leaving the Kairos drifting like a ghost ship. Authorities report it is now stranded less than a nautical mile off the Bulgarian shore.

Rescue operations chief Rumen Nikolov stated that establishing why the tanker was allowed into Bulgarian waters will be crucial and confirmed that the vessel remains stable despite adverse weather conditions. “There is no danger to the crew or the environment,” Nikolov assured.

All 10 crew members—from various nationalities—are reported to be in good health, with sufficient food and water for approximately three days. They expressed a desire for evacuation, but Anton Zlatanov, head of the border police, emphasized the importance of ensuring safety during the operation.

Communication has been successfully established with the crew, who have followed orders to anchor the ship while it is monitored by radio communication, thermal cameras, and radar from the shore. “Safety is our top priority,” Zlatanov stated in an interview with Nova TV.

As the situation develops, authorities are closely monitoring the weather and the tanker’s condition. When conditions improve, plans will be put in place to tow the ship to a secure location.

Stay tuned as we provide updates on this urgent situation impacting maritime safety and international relations.