Stranded Oil Tanker Off Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast Believed to be Part of Russia’s “Shadow Fleet”
Bulgarian maritime authorities launched efforts to evacuate the crew of the oil tanker Kairos stranded off the Black Sea port of Ahtopol on Saturday. The 274-meter vessel, believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to evade international sanctions linked to its war in Ukraine, caught fire after an alleged attack with Ukrainian naval drones last week.
The Gambian-flagged Kairos was sailing empty from Egypt toward the Russian port of Novorossiysk when it suffered the suspected Ukrainian strike. The ship entered Bulgaria’s territorial waters on Friday under tow by a Turkish vessel but the mission was abruptly abandoned, leaving the tanker to drift across the sea without power like a ghost ship before stranding less than a nautical mile off the shore.
Crew Condition and Evacuation Efforts
Rumen Nikolov, in charge of rescue operations at the Bulgarian Maritime Agency, said that it must be established through diplomatic channels why the tanker was brought into Bulgaria’s territorial waters. Despite the bad weather, Nikolov assured that the empty tanker is stable, adding that there is no danger to either the crew or the environment. The 10 crew members, of different nationalities, are in good condition and have enough food and water for about three days.
Communication Established with Crew
The head of border police, Anton Zlatanov, told Nova TV channel that communication was established with the crew, who had complied with orders and dropped anchor. The ship is currently stable in a position off Ahtopol. “The crew expressed their desire to be evacuated, but this must be done in the safest way possible,” Zlatanov added.
Monitoring Efforts
Zlatanov noted that the tanker is being monitored by a radio communication system, thermal cameras from the shore, and a radar system, while communication with the crew is being maintained. The authorities are working to establish the safest way to evacuate the crew, ensuring their safety and well-being throughout the process.
As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear why the Kairos was brought into Bulgaria’s territorial waters or what its intended destination was. Further investigation and diplomatic efforts will be necessary to determine the tanker’s fate and the intentions behind its suspected Ukrainian strike.
Original Article: Sanctioned oil tanker is stranded off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast after suspected Ukrainian strike — Associated Press