Shadow Fleet Tanker Diverts to Turkey After Reporting Drone Attack
A Chinese-owned and managed crude oil tanker is reporting that it was attacked by a suspected drone while sailing in the Black Sea. The tanker Elbus (159,000 dwt) was traveling only with ballast along the Turkish coast, reportedly bound for the Russian terminal at Novorossiysk.
The vessel called for assistance on Wednesday, January 7, reporting it had been hit and sustained some damage. The reports are conflicting, and an apparently fake photo is circulating online showing smoke billowing from a tanker. Turkish TV captured pictures of the vessel after it arrived at the Black Sea port of Inebolu on Thursday.
The Turkish Coast Guard reportedly responded to the call for assistance. The media said no crewmembers were injured and there was no pollution from the vessel. Early reports said the Coast Guard was arranging for the vessel to be towed to Turkey, but later reports seem to indicate that it arrived at Inebolu under its own power. A Coast Guard vessel can be seen standing by in the TV footage.
Local officials said they would be conducting a detailed inspection of the vessel. They said they would clarify the extent of the damage and seek to identify the source of the attack. Some reports said it appears the engine room was targeted, but others said the ship was struck in the upper works.
Built in 2005, the Elbus is sailing under the flag of Palau. It was acquired by a Chinese company in November 2025. The vessel does not appear in the lists of vessels sanctioned by the United States, the United Kingdom, or the European Union. The ship’s AIS signal shows it was coming from Singapore.
AI marine analytics firm Windward highlights that tankers have been attempting to hug the Turkish coast since the dual attacks in November, which damaged two other shadow fleet tankers. Ukraine took credit for those two attacks, reporting it had used a modified version of its Sea Baby maritime drones. However, Ukraine denied subsequent attacks and has not acknowledged the current incident. Turkish media highlights that five tankers have reported drone attacks since November.
Bulgaria Seeks Reimbursement from Owners of Salvaged Shadow Fleet Tanker
Bulgaria’s Maritime Administration presented a bill to the representatives of the Chinese-owned shadow fleet tanker that it was forced to salvage last month after it washed up on the shores of Bulgaria. The vessel had been attacked by Ukrainian forces while it was in the Black Sea heading to Russia to load crude oil.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications announced on Wednesday, January 7, that it had presented a bill for €270,371 ($315,802) using a private bailiff to deliver the notarized summons. It said the Maritime Administration had incurred the expenses, which included securing three tugs and a specialized generator that was used to power the ship’s hydraulic system to raise the anchor. The summons demanded payment by January 12.
Before day’s end, the Ministry reported it had received the funds from the shipowner’s agent in Bulgaria. It said payment in full was received and would be refunded to the state treasury.
The tanker Kairos had washed up near the Bulgarian seaport of Ahtopol on the afternoon of December 5, with the Bulgarian authorities accusing a salvage tug of releasing the hulk after having brought it from Turkish waters. Ukraine attacked the vessel near the coast of Turkey on November 28 using its Sea Baby drones, setting the empty tanker on fire. Turkish authorities aided in the evacuation of the crew and the firefight.
Bulgaria has continued to demand an explanation over the circumstances of the tow and where the tanker was headed before it drifted toward the port. An emergency operation airlifted some of the crewmembers off the ship and provided supplies as well as an electrical generator. Bulgaria had said it would seek a full reimbursement for its costs, including the tow on December 15 to place the hulk in a more secure location in the Gulf of Burgas.
Because the ship is under EU sanctions, Bulgaria reports that it cannot provide repair services to the vessel. It was permitted to provide emergency services and a port of refuge under the sanctions, but no further assistance is permitted. The Ministry reports that it expects the shipowner will take the necessary actions to prepare and remove the tanker from Bulgarian territorial waters.
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