The Operation to Tow 'Kairos' Tanker Stranded Off Ahtopol Is Proceeding as Planned

If weather conditions permit, the main operation to tow away the Kairos tanker—damaged by Ukrainian drones and abandoned off the coast of Ahtopol—is expected to begin on Sunday. The Ministry of Transport and Communications on December 12 said the work is proceeding on schedule and without delay.

The 'Kairos' tanker has been anchored off Bulgarian Black Sea coast near Ahtopol for a week.

The government today approved decision trhough written consent allocating the 1.2 million leva required for the vessel’s removal. A contract with an operator is now to be concluded.

In parallel, preparations of the equipment and the mobilisation of specialised teams have begun, and will continue tomorrow. The Maritime Administration in Burgas has declared full readiness to refloat the tanker and tow it to Burgas Bay. The core towing operation is expected to take no less than a full day.

Yordan Georgiev of the State Enterprise “Port Infrastructure” explained:
“A generator with specific frequency, voltage and high power needs to be delivered. It will be loaded onto a barge and taken to the vessel. The barge will come alongside and the generator will power the ship’s systems via cable so the anchor can be raised. A powerful tug will secure the vessel from the bow, a second will hold the stern, and a third will stabilise the opposite side of the tanker to prevent any incident. Once the anchor is lifted, the tugs will tow the vessel to a safe location in Burgas Bay.”