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Officials in Bulgaria are denying reports of a persistent oil slick emanating from the hulk of a sanctioned oil tanker that was badly damaged by a Ukrainian attack in November 2025. Greenpeace Bulgaria, however, released a satellite series of images calling for a full investigation into the source of the oil slick that appears to be coming from the wrecked tanker Kairos (150,000 dwt).
Reports of the oil slick emerged last week, when the Nessebar Public Council reported the situation and demanded government action. Nessebar is located approximately 20 nautical miles to the north of Bargas Bay, where the wrecked crude oil tanker has been anchored since December 2025. Nessebar is part of a popular tourist area on the Black Sea coast.
Bulgaria’s Transport Ministry coordinated with the Maritime Administration to conduct a survey of the tanker. They reported on July 22 that two inspections had taken place in a radius of 1.5 nautical miles from the tanker and no slick was spotted, but they did locate “individual colored spots,” which were treated with dispersant. A survey of the hull, they asserted, also showed no active leaks.
Built in 2002, the tanker was reported to be registered in Gambia and owned by a Chinese company. Bulgaria worked to ensure the safety of the remaining crew aboard the tanker, and after 10 days, it was towed to a more secure location in Burgas Bay. The European Union listed the vessel in its sanctions program in May 2025, and the UK added the vessel to its sanctions in July 2025, with both citing the vessel’s repeated involvement with the Russian oil trade.
FULL ARTICLE AVAILABLE HERE: maritime-executive.com
