Bulgaria and Turkey discuss the damaged Kairos tanker, adrift off Bulgaria's coast, following a fire and an attack linked to Ukraine.
On December 9, 2025, at 22:41, Turkish and Bulgarian officials convened to address the situation of the Kairos tanker, which is currently adrift off the coast of Bulgaria and has suffered significant damage due to a fire over the past weekend. Bulgaria aims to clarify the purpose of the tanker, which was reportedly damaged in an attack organized by Ukraine, while Turkish authorities indicated they were not informed in advance about the tanker’s movements.
Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov, along with Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev, met with Turkey's Ambassador to Sofia, Mehmet Uyanık, to request detailed information regarding the tanker’s salvage process. Minister Karadjov presented technical data concerning the entry of the Turkish-flagged tugboat Timur Bey into Bulgarian territorial waters. The Bulgarian government claims that available data indicates the tanker was intentionally directed towards Bulgarian shores and was abandoned approximately six miles offshore.
Turkish Ambassador Uyanık stated that the salvage operation of the tanker was organized by a private Turkish company without the knowledge of Turkish authorities. He also mentioned that an investigation has been initiated in Turkey regarding the incident and that complete information would be provided to the Bulgarian side.
Bulgarian officials conveyed that they were informed the tugboat would return to Turkey after releasing the tanker, stating, "We were told that the mission was completed and that the tugboat had returned to İğneada Port. However, we want to know who issued the towing order and the scope of the operation." According to Turkish legislation, there is no obligation to notify the state prior to such a towing operation.
The Turkish Ministry of Transport announced on November 30 that the fire on board the vessel had been extinguished and that discussions with the shipowner regarding the towing operation were ongoing. Following the drone attack, Turkey had evacuated all 25 crew members from the vessel.
Initial reports suggested that the tanker would be towed to Tuzla, Istanbul, but later claims indicated it could be taken to another shipyard in the Black Sea. The responsibility for the salvage of the damaged tanker lies with its Chinese owners.
The Kairos tanker is currently anchored less than 1,000 meters from the town of Ahtopol, Bulgaria. Bulgarian officials stated that the vessel is secured with a single anchor and does not pose an immediate danger. However, upon the shipowner's request, the Bulgarian Navy evacuated seven of the ten crew members by helicopter, leaving only three on board. Additionally, Bulgarian authorities provided the vessel with food, water, communication equipment, diesel generators, and fuel support. It was reported that due to winter conditions, there is no electricity or heating on the ship, and the crew is working under difficult circumstances.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Transport announced that they are waiting for weather conditions to improve for the transportation of the tanker, which is delaying the operation. Communication with the Chinese shipowners is ongoing, and the possibility of towing the Kairos to an anchorage area near Burgas is being evaluated.