Container Ship Contship Jet Struck by Marine Drones Near Cape Kaliakra
A Liberian-flagged container ship was struck by three marine drones in the Black Sea while transiting near Cape Kaliakra. The vessel, named Contship Jet, was carrying approximately 700 containers from Haifa, Israel, to Constanta, Romania, when it was hit on Wednesday. The attack prompted the 18-member crew to successfully abandon ship onto life rafts before being rescued by a Border Police vessel and naval craft.
Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov confirmed the strike during a trilateral meeting in Sofia with his Romanian and Turkish counterparts. Stoyanov stated that the attack occurred approximately 21 miles southeast of Shabla. Local fishermen in the area reported that the vessel caught fire following the impact, sustaining serious damage to its starboard side and developing a severe list.
Trilateral Defense Ministerial in Sofia Responds to Escalation
The ministers of defence from Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey gathered in Sofia to address the mounting security crisis in the Black Sea following a series of maritime attacks. Dimitar Stoyanov, Yasar Guler, and Stefan-Radu Oprea signed a joint declaration calling for an immediate halt to attacks that threaten commercial shipping, maritime infrastructure, and safety at sea. The ministers agreed to establish a trilateral coordination mechanism to facilitate regular consultations, information sharing, and practical measures for regional stability.
Romanian Minister of Defence Stefan-Radu Oprea noted that six drones had been shot down in Romania during missions to guard the country’s airspace this year. The three nations plan to hold follow-up political meetings in Bucharest and military expert sessions in Ankara.
Recent Black Sea Shipping Incidents and Previous Attacks
Wednesday’s strike on the Contship Jet follows a string of similar maritime incidents affecting commercial vessels in the Black Sea. On October 6, two ships were targeted near the Bulgarian coast, resulting in the sinking of one vessel and the evacuation of 18 crew members from the Palau-flagged ship Able. On October 13, the Malta-flagged commercial vessel Chelsea-3 was hit near Byala, while another vessel sank near Shabla. An additional attack occurred on October 23 near the Romanian coastline, leaving one crew member dead and others missing as the disabled ship Khoriv drifted toward Bulgarian waters.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Black Sea Drone Attack
What cargo was aboard the Contship Jet during the attack?
The container ship was carrying approximately 700 containers on a voyage from Haifa, Israel, to Constanta, Romania, according to the vessel’s Greek management company.
How was the crew rescued after the drones struck?
All 18 crew members safely abandoned the vessel into life rafts and were subsequently picked up by a Border Police cutter and naval vessels dispatched to the scene.
Where did the incident take place in relation to the coast?
The attack occurred roughly 21 miles southeast of Shabla and about 16 to 17 marine miles east of Cape Kaliakra, placing it outside territorial waters.
Worth a look