SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgarian maritime authorities have initiated evacuation efforts for the crew of the oil tanker Kairos, which is currently stranded off the Black Sea port of Ahtopol. The tanker is believed to be affiliated with the "shadow fleet" reportedly utilized by Russia to circumvent international sanctions related to its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Last week, the Gambian-flagged 274-meter Kairos caught fire after being struck by what is alleged to be an attack from Ukrainian naval drones while navigating the Black Sea near the Turkish coast. The vessel was making its way empty from Egypt to the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
The 149,000-ton tanker, originally flagged by Panama, Greece, and Liberia, was constructed in 2002 and was sanctioned by the European Union in July of this year, followed by sanctions from the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
The vessel entered Bulgaria’s territorial waters on Friday, being towed by a Turkish vessel. However, the towing mission was suddenly abandoned, leaving the tanker adrift without power, akin to a “ghost ship," before it came to rest less than a nautical mile offshore.
On Saturday, Rumen Nikolov, who oversees rescue operations at the Bulgarian Maritime Agency, stated that it must be clarified through diplomatic channels why the tanker had been brought into Bulgarian waters. He noted that despite the adverse weather conditions, the empty tanker remains stable, posing no immediate danger to the crew or the surrounding environment. According to Nikolov, all ten crew members — of various nationalities — are in good health and have adequate supplies of food and water for approximately three days. He assured that once the weather improves, plans will be made to tow the ship to a safe location.
Additionally, Anton Zlatanov, head of Bulgaria's border police, reported on the Nova TV channel that communication has been established with the crew, who complied with instructions to anchor the vessel. The ship is currently stable off the coast of Ahtopol. Zlatanov added that the crew has expressed a desire to be evacuated, but such an operation must be conducted safely.
Zlatanov mentioned that the tanker is under constant surveillance via a radio communication system, thermal cameras positioned ashore, and a radar system, ensuring ongoing communication with the crew throughout the situation.
As authorities work to manage the evacuation and clarify the events leading up to the ship's stranding, the incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding maritime safety and the implications of international sanctions surrounding Russia's military actions.
