Working Conditions Aboard the Ludogorets

On January 21, 2026, the cargo ship 'Lodogorets' was detained in the port of Flushing due to a thorough Port State Control inspection. The vessel, which had recently arrived from Murmansk, Russia, has a history of docking in Flushing, including visits in both November and December 2025. Notably, the ship had previously been involved in a tragic incident in 2021, when a sailor lost his life after becoming intoxicated from exposure to copper concentrate and falling into the hold. Following the unfortunate event, the Maltese authorities conducted an investigation, which determined that the sailor's death was a tragic accident resulting from a lack of necessary safety precautions. The findings highlighted the importance of adhering to safety regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.

On October 12, 2021, a tragic incident occurred on board the bulk carrier 'Ludogorets' while it was docked in Samsun. A 47-year-old Bulgarian deckhand lost his life after falling a staggering 14 meters into the cargo hold. The ship, which was carrying a load of copper, had recently arrived in port from Bourgas on October 9. Following the incident, local authorities initiated a detailed investigation, as the conditions surrounding the accident appeared questionable. After the investigation, the 'Ludogorets' continued its journey, departing on October 13 at 4:10 p.m., destined for Poti and scheduled to arrive by October 14.

Bulgarian maritime company Navibulgar has successfully acquired two handysize bulk carriers from Germany's MarConsult, bolstering its fleet of modern vessels. The newly purchased Chinese-built ships, previously known as Marbacan and Marbioko, have been renamed Oborishte and Ludogorets. As part of this strategic move, Navibulgar, a prominent player in the handysize segment, now boasts approximately 30 vessels in its fleet. Although the financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, this acquisition signals Navibulgar's commitment to expansion. Looking ahead, the company is poised to further increase its fleet size with the addition of more 36,000 dwt newbuildings scheduled for delivery from China by year's end.

The crew of the bulk carrier 'Fritz,' comprising Ukrainian and Romanian sailors, is currently stranded aboard the vessel on the banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. Since August 6, 2014, the 'Fritz' has been immobilized, having arrived from Hamilton and now caught up in a legal battle with the U.S. Marshal’s Service over outstanding fees amounting to nearly $900,000. As the situation unfolds, the crew's conditions remain uncertain, with questions surrounding their wages and the sufficiency of onboard supplies. Authorities have expressed concern that should crew members abandon the ship, it could lead to further complications in handling the vessel, even if the debts are eventually settled. Initially intended for unloading steel coils, the cargo remains intact on the vessel, which found itself adrift after issues began earlier this summer. In mid-July, the 'Fritz' faced similar struggles while docked in Oshawa, where a shortage of food supplies and unpaid wages led the crew to seek emergency assistance. Witnesses reported that the crew resorted to fishing in Lake Ontario just to survive. Fortunately, after spending two days in Oshawa, a new foreign investor intervened, allowing for the crew to be compensated and enabling the ship to resume operations.