Israeli-Affiliated Container Ship Sinks After Drone Attack Off Bulgaria

The container ship CONTSHIP JET, operating in the service of the Israeli shipping company ZIM, sank in the Black Sea on Thursday night after being attacked by unmanned vessels off the coast of Bulgaria. The vessel, which departed from Haifa port en route to Constanta, Romania, sustained severe damage in the attack. All 18 crew members aboard were safely rescued by Bulgarian Navy forces. Bulgarian authorities confirmed the sinking on Friday morning, stating that the identity of the attackers remains unknown.

The ship was carrying 421 containers, some of which contained hazardous materials, including lithium batteries, flammable liquids, and chemicals. Following the sinking, Bulgarian authorities began assessing potential environmental risks from the cargo. Initial checks found no signs of pollution, and monitoring of the area continues.

ZIM stated that the small container ship, which it charters and does not own, was hit by a drone in the Black Sea. The company confirmed all crew members were evacuated safely and estimated the financial damage to be minimal. ZIM is working to secure a replacement vessel to maintain service for its clients, noting that several similar ship attacks have occurred in the region recently.

The CONTSHIP JET, sailing under a Liberian flag and managed by the Greek shipping company Contships Management, operated on ZIM's Levant-Black Sea Express line, connecting Israeli ports with those in the Black Sea region. It had also called at Ashdod port on its way to Romania. According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense, the attack occurred around noon on Wednesday, approximately 17 nautical miles east of Cape Kaliakra, within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. Three naval drones struck the ship, causing significant damage, a fire, and listing it to its side. The attack was detected by Bulgarian Navy surveillance systems and a French maritime patrol aircraft operating in the area. The patrol aircraft reportedly alerted the captain to the approaching drones, but the ship was hit despite the captain's attempts to alter course.

The Greek management company confirmed the attack and the crew's rescue. The Bulgarian Navy dispatched three ships, assisted by the maritime border guard, to conduct the rescue operation. Ten crew members escaped to a life raft, while the remaining eight were rescued from the ship. All 18 crew members, comprising 14 Filipino and 4 Ukrainian nationals, were safely transferred to Varna port for medical checks. The ship sank overnight after it became clear the damage was more severe than initially assessed. Some containers fell into the sea, prompting authorities to investigate potential environmental impacts.

The attack occurred on the same day that the defense ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey met in Sofia to discuss Black Sea maritime security. The ministers condemned the attacks on commercial vessels and warned of the dangers to crew lives and freedom of navigation. They agreed to enhance intelligence cooperation, early warning systems, and security coordination among the three NATO member states. The CONTSHIP JET is not the first vessel attacked in the region recently, with several attacks on commercial ships near Bulgarian and Romanian coasts in recent weeks resulting in casualties. Ukraine has accused Russia of responsibility for these attacks, while Moscow has denied involvement. Responsibility for the CONTSHIP JET attack has not yet been determined.