Navigational Warning | Drifting Containers Reported at Multiple Locations off Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast航行警告｜黑海多处发现漂浮集装箱，船舶注意避让

Floating and grounded shipping containers have been reported at several locations along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast in recent days. Some containers have been washed ashore by waves, prompting local maritime authorities to issue navigational warnings advising passing vessels to keep clear. Some of the containers are believed to have come from a container ship that sank earlier, although the number and precise locations of the drifting objects are still being updated.

近日，黑海保加利亚沿岸陆续发现漂浮及搁浅集装箱，部分箱体已被海浪推至岸边。当地海事部门发布航行警告，提醒过往船舶注意避让。部分箱体疑似来自此前沉没的集装箱船，目前漂浮物数量及具体位置仍在更新。

Containers Reported Along the Coast

沿岸陆续发现落水箱体

On 28 October, a container ship in the Black Sea was attacked by an unmanned maritime device, sustaining damage before sinking. All 18 crew members were rescued. More than 20 containers were lost overboard in the incident, with some subsequently drifting under the influence of currents, wind and waves.

From 1 November, floating containers began to be reported near Burgas Bay on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, prompting local maritime authorities to issue navigational warnings.

10月28日，黑海一艘集装箱船遭遇海上无人设备袭击，船体受损后沉没，18名船员全部获救。事故中有超过20个集装箱落水，部分箱体随后随海流和风浪漂移。11月1日起，保加利亚布尔加斯湾（Burgas Bay）附近陆续发现漂浮集装箱，当地海事部门发布航行警告。

Reported Positions and Latest Developments

漂浮集装箱的位置和最新动态

According to NAVWARN 790/26 issued through Bulgaria’s Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS), two floating containers were reported east of Maslen Nos at 10:00 UTC on 3 November. Their reported positions were:

• 42°19′N, 028°21′E

• 42°17′N, 028°24′E

根据保加利亚海事交通信息系统（VTMIS）发布的NAVWARN 790/26，11月3日10:00 UTC，马斯伦角（Maslen Nos）以东发现两个漂浮集装箱，位置分别为：

42°19′N，028°21′E

42°17′N，028°24′E

The containers have been classified as navigational hazards, and vessels transiting the area have been advised to proceed with caution.

通告将其列为航行危险，提醒过往船舶谨慎通过。

Other containers have been reported floating or stranded at several points along the coast. On 2 November, a container carrying Christmas decorations was found stranded among rocks on a beach near Arapya, close to Tsarevo. Local authorities secured the site and arranged for it to be guarded.

A tank container and another floating container were also reported near Sinemorets. Local authorities said the tank container appeared to be empty. As of 5 November, the container near Arapya was still under police guard, while the other container near Sinemorets had drifted away from the shore.

Some of the containers found along the coast are believed to be linked to the sunken vessel. However, it has not been confirmed that all reported floating objects originated from that ship. As containers may continue to drift, vessels should follow the latest navigational warnings for updated information.

沿岸也发现多处搁浅或漂浮箱体。11月2日，一个装载圣诞装饰品的集装箱搁浅在察雷沃（Tsarevo）附近、阿拉皮亚（Arapya）一带的海滩岩石间，随后由当地部门封锁现场并安排看守。西内莫雷茨（Sinemorets）附近还发现一个罐式集装箱及另一个漂浮箱体。当地政府称，罐式箱体看起来为空；截至11月5日，阿拉皮亚附近的集装箱仍由警方看守，西内莫雷茨附近的另一个箱体则已漂离海岸。

目前已有部分箱体被认为与沉没船舶有关，但尚不能确认沿岸发现的所有漂浮物均来自该船。由于箱体可能继续漂移，船舶应以最新航行警告为准。

Navigational Safety Recommendations

船舶航行安全建议

The main hazard posed by drifting containers is the difficulty of continuously tracking their position and condition. They can move with changing winds, currents and waves, and may become partially submerged as they take on water, leaving only a small portion visible above the surface. Detection can become even more difficult at night, in rain or fog, or when sea clutter is present.

漂浮集装箱对航行的威胁，主要在于目标位置和状态难以持续掌握。集装箱可能随风、流和浪向发生变化，也可能因进水而部分沉没，露出水面的高度有限。夜间、雨雾天气或海面杂波较多时，驾驶台发现目标的时间可能进一步缩短。

Check navigational warnings and update passage plans.

Vessels transiting along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast should regularly check the latest warnings issued through VTMIS, NAVTEX and the relevant coastal authorities. Particular attention should be paid to reports around Burgas Bay, Maslen Nos, Tsarevo and Sinemorets. Reported positions should be plotted on the vessel’s passage plan, with the route adjusted as necessary in light of updated warnings, sea conditions and the vessel’s manoeuvring capabilities.

提前核对航行警告，更新航线信息

途经保加利亚黑海沿岸的船舶，建议及时核对VTMIS、NAVTEX及沿岸国发布的最新航行警告，重点关注布尔加斯湾、马斯伦角、察雷沃和西内莫雷茨附近的报告。船舶应将已公布的位置标注在航行计划中，并根据最新通告、海况和操纵条件调整航线。

Maintain a proper lookout and adjust speed as necessary.

When navigating through the affected waters, vessels should adjust speed according to visibility, sea conditions and traffic density. Bridge teams should maintain a proper visual and auditory lookout, with additional lookouts assigned where necessary. Containers that have taken on water may be partially submerged, leaving little visible above the surface. Radar detection may also be affected. Bridge teams should therefore use radar, electronic charts and visual observation together when identifying potential hazards.

加强瞭望，合理控制航速

通过相关水域时，船舶应根据能见度、海况和交通密度合理控制航速，保持驾驶台视觉、听觉瞭望，必要时增加瞭望人员。漂浮集装箱可能因进水而部分沉没，露出水面的高度有限，雷达探测也可能受到影响，可以结合雷达、电子海图和目视观察识别目标。

Report sightings promptly and do not attempt recovery.

If a drifting container is sighted, the bridge team should assess its bearing, distance and relative movement, take appropriate avoiding action and report the sighting promptly to nearby vessels and the nearest coastal State, in accordance with the relevant requirements of SOLAS Chapter V.

Reports should include the time of sighting (UTC), position, number of containers, container type and direction of drift. Any visible damage, liquid leakage or unusual odour should also be reported.

Containers with unknown contents or hazardous properties should not be approached unnecessarily, taken in tow or boarded for inspection. Vessels should maintain a safe distance and await instructions from the relevant authorities.

发现漂浮物后，及时报告并避免自行处置

发现疑似漂浮集装箱后，及时评估目标方位、距离及相对运动，采取必要的避让措施，并按照SOLAS第五章相关要求，尽快向附近船舶及最近沿岸国报告。报告内容应包括发现时间（UTC）、经纬度、数量、箱体类型及漂移方向；如发现箱体破损、液体泄漏或异常气味，也应一并说明。对于货物和危险性不明的箱体，不应贸然靠近、拖带或安排人员登临检查，应保持安全距离并等待专业机构处置。

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E-PORTS面向全球船舶提供在港服务支持，可为协助安排船员换班、物料供应、备件及维修等业务。如需了解相关服务或提交业务需求，欢迎扫描二维码填写信息，E-PORTS将为您提供专属服务方案。

References:

• Bulgaria’s Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS), navigational warning

• Bulgarian Ministry of Transport and Communications, updates on containers found and response measures along the coast

• Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water, announcement on Black Sea water sampling results

• The Maritime Executive, report on drifting containers in the Black Sea

• International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs)

• UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, guidance on reporting containers lost overboard under SOLAS

参考文章：

保加利亚海事交通信息系统（VTMIS）航行警告

保加利亚交通与通信部关于沿岸集装箱发现及处置的通报

保加利亚环境与水利部关于黑海海水采样结果的公告

The Maritime Executive 关于黑海漂浮集装箱的报道

国际海事组织（IMO）《国际海上避碰规则》

英国海事与海岸警卫署关于SOLAS集装箱落水报告要求的通告

Disclaimer: The data and analysis in this article are based on publicly available information and industry research and are provided for industry discussion and reference only. They do not constitute investment advice or an operational commitment. The shipping market is affected by multiple factors, including macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical developments and weather, and remains subject to uncertainty. Readers should consider their own fleet structure, risk tolerance and the latest market developments when making operational or commercial decisions.

*免责声明：本文所载数据及分析均基于公开信息和行业研究报告，仅供行业交流与参考，不构成任何投资建议或操作承诺。航运市场受宏观经济、地缘政治、天气变化等多重因素影响，存在不确定性。读者在制定具体经营决策时，应结合自身船队结构、风险承受能力及最新市场动态综合判断。