Rescue operations are ongoing near Burgas after the CONTSHIP JET sank, leaving containers adrift and raising environmental concerns.
A new danger has emerged in the Black Sea following the sinking of the CONTSHIP JET container ship due to an attack by three maritime drones off the coast of Bulgaria. Four containers have been detected drifting off the coast of Burgas, while one container has struck the Bulgarian shore. Investigations are ongoing regarding environmental and navigational safety due to the ship carrying hazardous materials.
Four containers detected off Burgas
According to a navigational warning published by the Bulgarian State Port Infrastructure Company in the ship traffic management system, four containers were detected east of Burgas Bay at 10:55 AM on November 1.
The drifting containers are believed to belong to the Liberia-flagged CONTSHIP JET, which sank after being attacked by maritime drones on October 28 off the coast of Bulgaria.
Authorities have urged vessels passing through the area to navigate carefully and maintain a safe distance from the containers.
One container struck the shore
On November 2, it was reported that one container had struck Nestinarka Beach in the Tsarevo region of Bulgaria.
Local sources indicated that the container contained Christmas trees, while another container that reached the shore near Lozenets is also being examined by authorities.
The Bulgarian military prosecutor's office has taken over the investigation related to the incident, and environmental agencies have reported taking samples of seawater.
The ship contained hazardous chemicals
The CONTSHIP JET, which was sailing from Haifa Port in Israel to Constanta Port in Romania, was carrying 421 containers.
Among the ship's cargo were lithium-ion batteries, acids, corrosive materials, flammable liquids, household chemicals, and various industrial products.
According to Bulgarian officials, approximately 20 containers fell into the sea following the attack.
Environmental experts have warned that if containers containing hazardous materials are damaged or eroded over time due to seawater, chemical leaks could occur.
However, initial analyses of seawater have reported no pollution exceeding threshold values in the examined indicators.
Three maritime drones sank the ship
The CONTSHIP JET was attacked by three unmanned maritime vehicles while passing through Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone on October 28.
The ship sustained severe damage due to violent explosions and subsequently sank, while all 18 crew members, consisting of 14 Filipinos and four Ukrainians, were rescued and taken to Varna Port.
Images verified by Reuters showed a maritime drone approaching the ship followed by an explosion.
No party has yet been confirmed to have claimed responsibility for the attack.
Navigational safety risks continue in the Black Sea
It is reported that the positions of the drifting containers in Burgas Bay have changed due to currents and weather conditions.
Partially submerged containers at sea are considered to pose a serious collision risk for vessels, especially during nighttime navigation.
Bulgarian authorities are continuing their efforts to determine the locations of the containers and monitor potential marine pollution.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
