The CONTSHIP JET sank after being struck by three drones off Bulgaria; 18 crew rescued, and 20 containers fell into the sea.
The CONTSHIP JET, struck by three maritime drones off the coast of Bulgaria, sank with 421 containers on board. 18 seafarers were rescued, and an investigation has been initiated regarding 20 containers that fell into the sea.
The Liberian-flagged CONTSHIP JET container ship, which became the latest target of attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, sank following an unmanned maritime vehicle attack off the coast of Bulgaria. It was reported that the ship, which was en route from Haifa Port in Israel to Constanta Port in Romania, was carrying 421 containers, and the crew was rescued after the attack.
According to news reports from Reuters and The Maritime Executive dated October 29, 2026, the ship operated by Greece-based Contships Management was attacked by three maritime drones on October 28 in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. The heavily damaged vessel sank around midnight on October 29, approximately 12 hours after the attack.
Three hits were recorded on the ship during the attack.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense reported that the attack occurred approximately 17 nautical miles east of Cape Kaliakra.
According to the ministry's statement, a French maritime patrol aircraft conducting a reconnaissance flight in the western Black Sea detected the unmanned maritime vehicles and informed the Bulgarian Navy.
It was noted that the ship was attacked around 12:00, and a total of three hits were recorded by the Bulgarian Navy's surveillance systems and the French aircraft.
After sustaining severe damage from the attack, the ship began to list. It was confirmed that the vessel sank following a rescue operation conducted by Bulgarian authorities.
All 18 seafarers were rescued.
All 18 seafarers on board, consisting of 14 Filipinos and four Ukrainians, were rescued by teams from the Bulgarian Navy and Border Police.
According to a statement from the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport, the crew abandoned the ship at 12:13. While rescue teams directly evacuated eight seafarers, the other ten were found on the ship's lifeboat.
The seafarers were taken to Varna Port for health checks. Bulgarian authorities reported that there were no injuries among the crew.
20 containers fell into the sea.
Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov, Commander of the Bulgarian Navy, announced that 20 of the 421 containers carried by the ship fell into the sea following the attack.
It was reported that the ship's cargo included lithium-ion batteries, corrosive liquids, acids, and various industrial materials.
The fallen containers have been placed under investigation concerning navigation safety and environmental pollution. The potential effects of the hazardous materials on the marine environment are being specifically examined.
Bulgaria: No serious environmental pollution is expected at this stage.
The Varna Regional Governor's Office announced that initial inspections by the Bulgarian Maritime Administration indicated that the wreck is not expected to cause serious environmental pollution.
Officials noted that the kerosene used as fuel on the ship could evaporate relatively quickly in the event of a leak and that, according to current assessments, it is not expected to reach the Bulgarian coast.
However, monitoring of the seawater and environmental conditions in the area continues. Authorities stated that response teams are prepared in case pollution is detected.
ZIM confirmed the loss of the ship.
ZIM, the Israeli container shipping company that chartered the CONTSHIP JET, confirmed the loss of the vessel.
The company stated that following the safe rescue of the crew, efforts are underway to procure an alternative ship to continue service.
ZIM reported that it is aware of similar attacks that have occurred in the region recently and has taken necessary precautions to maintain its transportation services for customers.
The perpetrator of the attack has not yet been identified.
Bulgarian authorities are continuing their investigations into the origins of the maritime drones used in the attack.
According to Reuters, maritime security company Ambrey assessed that the unmanned maritime vehicle used in the attack resembles the Russian-made Murena-300S design. However, this technical similarity does not definitively identify the perpetrator of the attack.
While the military prosecutor's office in Bulgaria has launched an investigation into the incident, the European Commission condemned the attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea.
Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania have also decided to strengthen cooperation in intelligence sharing, early warning, and maritime security to protect commercial maritime transportation in the region.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
