Sanctioned oil tanker is stranded off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast after suspected Ukrainian strike

Bulgarian authorities have begun evacuation efforts for the crew of an oil tanker stranded off the country’s Black Sea coast, officials confirmed Saturday. The vessel is believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to circumvent international sanctions related to the Ukraine war.

The Gambian-flagged Kairos, a 274-meter oil tanker, caught fire last week following what sources described as an attack by Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea near Turkey’s coast. The empty vessel was reportedly en route from Egypt to the Russian port of Novorossiysk when the incident occurred.

The 149,000-ton tanker, which previously sailed under Panamanian, Greek, and Liberian flags since its construction in 2002, has been subject to escalating international sanctions. The European Union placed restrictions on the vessel in July, with the United Kingdom and Switzerland following suit shortly after.

Maritime tracking showed the Kairos entered Bulgarian territorial waters Friday under tow by a Turkish vessel. However, the towing operation was unexpectedly abandoned, leaving the massive ship to drift across the Black Sea without power. The vessel eventually ran aground less than one nautical mile from the shore near the port of Ahtopol.

Rumen Nikolov, who oversees rescue operations at the Bulgarian Maritime Agency, told reporters that diplomatic channels must establish why the tanker was brought into Bulgaria’s waters in the first place. The sudden abandonment of the towing operation has raised questions about jurisdiction and responsibility for the vessel.

“The empty tanker is stable despite the challenging weather conditions,” Nikolov stated. “There is no immediate danger to either the crew or the environment.” He confirmed that all ten crew members, who represent various nationalities, remain in good condition with sufficient provisions for approximately three days.

Anton Zlatanov, head of Bulgaria’s border police, provided additional details to Nova TV, saying authorities had established communication with the crew, who complied with instructions to drop anchor. “The crew has expressed their desire to be evacuated,” Zlatanov noted, “but this must be done in the safest manner possible given the current conditions.”

The incident highlights the complex challenges facing Black Sea shipping amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The “shadow fleet” refers to vessels that operate outside standard international shipping regulations to help Russia transport oil despite Western sanctions. These ships often change flags, ownership structures, and insurance providers to obscure their connections to sanctioned entities.

Maritime security experts have noted an increase in such vessels operating in the Black Sea region since the imposition of extensive sanctions against Russia following its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These ships typically operate with minimal safety standards and often lack proper insurance coverage.

Bulgarian authorities have implemented a comprehensive monitoring operation for the stranded tanker, utilizing radio communication systems, thermal cameras from shore, and radar tracking. Officials maintain regular contact with the crew while developing plans for their safe extraction.

“When weather conditions improve, the ship will be towed to a safe location,” Nikolov added, though he did not specify a timeline or destination for the damaged vessel.

The incident occurs against the backdrop of increased naval drone activity in the Black Sea, where both Russia and Ukraine have employed unmanned vessels as part of their military strategies. Ukraine has targeted Russian naval assets and vessels believed to be supporting Russia’s war effort, while maintaining shipping corridors for grain and other commercial vessels.

Bulgarian authorities have not yet announced what will happen to the vessel after the crew’s evacuation, as its sanctioned status complicates potential salvage operations.