Bulgaria Inspects Sanctioned Tanker Kairos After Oil Pollution Reports In Burgas Bay

Bulgaria’s Maritime Administration has called for investigation teams to look into a possible leak from a sanctioned motor tanker named Kairos.

According to the Ministry of Transport, citizens raised complaints regarding possible maritime pollution in the region surrounding the ship in Burgas Bay.

It has remained anchored close to Pomorie and Sarafovo since it was rescued in 2025. Two inspections of the tanker’s hull have been carried out already, and no leak was found in either of the checks.

Suspicions arose when investigators patrolling the area, spanning 1.5 nm around the tanker, found coloured patches on the water. A dispersant was immediately used to reduce the environmental impact and treat the affected areas.

After this finding, authorities decided to increase the range of patrols to cover the area around Kairos to determine if there is any product which is leading to the formation of isolated patches on the water, imitating an oil slick.

The source of the patches has not yet been identified, as investigation is ongoing.

The tanker, which has been sanctioned by the European Commission, ran aground off Ahtopol on December 5, 2025. It was then towed to Burgas Bay after being left by a turkish tugboat which had arrived at the site to move it to a safe location.

Rough weather forced the tugboat to abandon the tanker, which remained there for 10 days; meanwhile, all 10 crew members were safely evacuated.

A massive salvage operation was planned to move the damaged tanker to a safe anchorage in Burgas Bay.

Three tugboats from the Bulgarian Maritime Fleet were put to this task on December 15, 2025. A generator was also brought to the scene to restore power required for raising the anchor.

The tanker was thoroughly inspected after it was towed to the safe location. At that time, investigators found no oil leaks or traces of hazardous substances in the nearby water.

Inspections carried out later revealed that the tanker was damaged; however, it remained structurally stable.

In the beginning of 2026, the Ministry of Transport confirmed that the tanker owner had reimbursed all the expenses incurred in towing the vessel.

The owner had paid 270,371 euros through its Bulgarian shipping agent, Parnavi EOOD. According to sources, the Kairos has now been sold to a new owner who is planning to tow it to Turkiye and dismantle it for scrap.