Drifting containers off Bulgaria prompt coastal safety measures

November 5 ------ Bulgarian authorities have issued navigational warnings and introduced coastal safety measures after several cargo containers were discovered drifting in the Black Sea and washing ashore along the country’s southern coastline, following the sinking of the containership Contship Jet.

According to Burgas Regional Administration, three objects were under surveillance as of November 3, 2026, including two cargo containers and a tank container in the Tsarevo and Sinemorets areas. Authorities suspect that at least one of the containers originated from Contship Jet, although its connection to the vessel has not been conclusively established.

On November 1, Bulgaria’s State Enterprise Port Infrastructure issued a navigational warning after four drifting containers were sighted east of Burgas Bay. The warning, reproduced by Bulgarian National Radio, advised vessels operating in the area to exercise increased caution and maintain a safe distance from the objects.

Containers reach Bulgarian coastline

As informed by the regional administration, one container became lodged among rocks between the Oasis and Arapya camping areas, while a tank container washed ashore near Kamenni Korabi, close to Sinemorets. A third container was identified near Butamyata.

The administration said the tank container appeared empty, while available cargo manifest information indicated that the objects under surveillance were associated with nonhazardous cargo.

Bulgarian Border Police secured the affected locations, restricted access and maintained surveillance of the objects. Military Police, maritime authorities and environmental agencies have also been involved in coordinating the response. Recovery operations remain dependent on weather and sea conditions, with authorities awaiting calmer waters before attempting to remove the stranded objects.

On November 2, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Transport and Communications confirmed that a container had washed ashore near Tsarevo. According to the available information, the container was labeled as carrying Christmas decorations. Officials said measures had been taken to secure the area and establish the object’s origin and condition.

Hazardous cargo and environmental monitoring

The developments follow the sinking of the Liberian-flagged Contship Jet on October 29, after the vessel was struck by three maritime drones approximately 21 nautical miles southeast of Shabla on October 28.

The containership was traveling from Haifa, Israel, to Constanța, Romania, carrying 421 containers. All 18 crew members, comprising 14 Filipinos and four Ukrainians, were safely rescued.

According to Bulgaria’s Ministry of Environment and Water, the vessel’s cargo manifest included lithium-ion batteries, corrosive liquids and acids, flammable liquids, including ethanol solutions, household chemicals and industrial materials. However, authorities have not confirmed that any of the containers discovered along the Bulgarian coastline contained hazardous substances.

In its November 3 update, Burgas Regional Administration reported no evidence of hazardous substances leaking from the objects under surveillance. Environmental specialists also collected seawater samples from affected coastal locations to assess potential contamination.

Separately, the Environment Ministry reported that available laboratory results showed no pollution linked to maritime incidents in the Black Sea. However, these findings were based on samples collected before the October 28 sinking, while results from subsequent sampling remained pending.

Further water sampling is scheduled for November 5 at several locations along the Bulgarian coast, including Durankulak, Shabla, Kaliakra, Byala and Sozopol.

Authorities continue to monitor the stranded objects and surrounding waters, with recovery operations and environmental assessments ongoing.

Source: safety4sea.com