Khoryv wreck remains a hazard to shipping off Shabla

The wreck of the ship Khoryv (KHORYV) remains a navigational hazard south-east of Cape Shabla, maritime publication Maritime.bg reported on 12 November. According to its team, the bow protrudes above the water, while the hull rests with its superstructure in the muddy seabed. The latest information on the condition of the wreck comes from this inspection.

Ferry faced risk of collision

A Bulgarian ferry sailing from Constanța to Georgia faced a risk of collision with the wreck early in the week, Maritime.bg reports, citing a Bulgarian company. The company was not named. This was a close encounter, not an actual collision.

According to the publication, the Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company continues to warn merchant ships. Maritime.bg cites navigational warning NAVIM 766/26, which requires vessels to keep a distance of at least five cables.

A warning had already been issued when the ship, which was not under command, entered Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. The authorities were monitoring the ship’s position in real time. Darik reported this on 28 October, citing Bulgarian National Television (BNT). The Ministry of Transport and Communications warned mariners to stay at least 5 cables away and to exercise particular caution when navigating.

Timeline of damage and attempts to sink the ship

Khoryv was struck by a drone off Constanța on 23 October 2026 and partially sank off Shabla on 29 October. In the meantime, the capsized hull had been drifting south. According to information from BNT relayed by Darik, it was sighted on the evening of 27 October, 13 nautical miles east of Cape Sivri Burun, without crew or lights.

In its inspection on 12 November, Maritime.bg describes a depth of around 65 metres and a ship approximately 120 metres long. The publication also reports several publicly announced attempts by the Bulgarian Navy to sink the hull. Part of it still remains above the surface.

In Flank’s assessment, it is important to distinguish between stopping the drift and removing the navigational hazard. A hull already resting on the seabed may continue to endanger passing vessels. The visible bow alone, however, does not allow an assessment of the means used by the military or the technical objectives of its individual actions.

Coordinates and current warning remain unconfirmed

At the time of publication, Flank had not found an up-to-date official notice giving the wreck’s exact coordinates and the full text of the navigational warning in force. The distance cited by Maritime.bg should therefore not replace checking the latest instructions to mariners.

Without exact coordinates, the description “south-east of Cape Shabla” is insufficient to determine the legal regime applicable at the wreck’s current location. The story continues to develop and may be updated with new official statements.