Photograph: Sam Boal/CollinsThe Naval Service will have expanded powers to board vessels, including those from Russia’s so-called shadow fleet , in Ireland’s maritime zones under new laws being drafted by the Government. McEntee said in a statement on Wednesday that recent events in the Baltic Sea and the activities of Russia’s shadow fleet “have highlighted the importance of ensuring that we have the legal framework necessary to respond to evolving threats”. McEntee said the Defence Forces currently exercise their maritime powers on behalf of other State agencies under other pieces of legislation. Sanctioned shadow fleet vessels cause environmental and national security concerns, and often exhibit unusual behaviour such as taking economically inefficient routes or sailing well outside recognised shipping lanes. Russia has increasingly relied on its shadow fleet to smuggle oil and natural gas following the imposition of sanctions after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Source: The Irish Times March 11, 2026 21:20 UTC