Shadow Fleet Tankers Pass Through Bulgarian Waters, Raising Security Threat
At least 14 tankers linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” sailed through Bulgarian and Romanian waters during the first seven months of 2026, spending a combined 418 hours in the territorial waters of the two countries, according to an analysis by Greenpeace Bulgaria.
The findings come days after Greenpeace reported oil slicks near the sanctioned tanker Kairos, which has been anchored off Burgas since December 2025 after being struck by Ukraine in the Black Sea. The vessel is part of Russia’s shadow fleet and is sanctioned by both the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Shadow Fleet Activity Growing in the Black Sea
The organization said the scale of the shadow fleet‘s activity in the Black Sea is growing. Between January 1 and August 1, at least 14 such tankers passed through Bulgarian and Romanian waters, with some spending several days in the area. Fossil fuel exports remain a major source of revenue for the Russian state.
Risks Extend Beyond Sanctions Evasion
Greenpeace warned that the risks extend beyond sanctions evasion. Many shadow fleet vessels lack adequate insurance to cover accidents or oil spills. Fires, engine failures, collisions, loss of control and leaks have all been reported in connection with such tankers. If an uninsured vessel causes an accident in Bulgarian waters, the organization said, the financial burden of dealing with the damage could ultimately fall on Bulgaria.
AIS Manipulation and Ship-to-Ship Transfers Pose Additional Concerns
Manipulation of AIS tracking systems is another concern because it can make vessels harder to monitor and increase the risk of collisions. An analysis by Follow the Money identified 16,000 instances of AIS signals disappearing from vessels linked to Russia in the Black Sea. The organization also pointed to ship-to-ship transfers carried out in open waters. Such operations can make the origin of cargo more difficult to trace and, according to Greenpeace, increase the risk of environmental damage.
Potential Cost of an Oil Spill
The potential cost of an oil spill is particularly high. A CREA analysis cited by Greenpeace estimates that cleaning up a spill involving a typical shadow fleet tanker in Europe could cost more than USD800 million. The abandoned Kairos has become a prominent example of the environmental concerns. After the tanker was struck in November 2025 and left off the Bulgarian coast, numerous oil slicks were reported around the vessel.
Russian Parallel Shipping Network Expanding
The organization said Russia’s parallel shipping network is also expanding beyond oil. At least eight aging liquefied natural gas tankers have reportedly been purchased during the past six months and could be used to transport Russian gas. The development comes ahead of an expected EU ban on Russian liquefied gas. According to Greenpeace,
Original Article: At Least 14 Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers Have Passed Through Bulgarian Waters, Raising Security Threat — Novinite