Libya has stated it will detain any Bulgarian ship in Libyan waters, as well as any ship with a Bulgarian company among its owners.

This step comes as a reciprocal measure after the measures taken by Bulgaria with regard to the Libyan tanker Badr.

In November 2017 the Libyan tanker was detained at port Bourgas on the Black Sea over a case of compensations against Libya by a Bulgarian company. After a multitude of court hearings, on 21 December, 2018, a private bailiff, border police and maritime authority officials boarded the ship. The Libyan flag was removed, and the ship’s captain and crew were forced to leave the ship, which has been sailing under a Panamanian flag since 28 December. Over this act Libya is accusing Bulgaria of piracy. A special envoy of the Libyan prime minister has been dispatched to Sofia to deal with the matter.