The CONTSHIP JET, a Liberian‑flagged container ship, was hit by three sea drones as it passed through Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone on Wednesday, leading to its rapid sinking. The vessel was en route from Haifa, Israel, to Constanţa, Romania, and was carrying lithium‑ion batteries, corrosive liquids, acids and industrial components.
A total of 18 crew members—14 Filipinos and four Ukrainians—were rescued by Bulgarian forces and safely transferred to the port of Varna. The rapid evacuation prevented any casualties on board.
This incident marks the sixth drone strike on maritime vessels off Bulgaria this month, and authorities estimate that around two dozen seafarers may have perished in the previous attacks.
Bulgarian naval commander Kiril Mihaylov said that a French patrol aircraft had alerted authorities to a potential drone attack, but the drones had already breached the hull before any defensive measures could be taken.
Initial inspections of the wreckage found no visible pollution, despite the ship’s cargo of hazardous materials. The cleanup crew is monitoring for any delayed leaks.
In response to the growing threat, Bulgaria has formally requested NATO assistance to bolster maritime security along its Black Sea coastline, a move that could lead to a coordinated patrol in the coming weeks.