Irish authorities are monitoring the passage of the oil tanker, which satellite data suggests will take the northern route around Ireland on its way to a Russian North Sea port. Oil tanker headed towards Irish-controlled waters on Friday January 2nd, 2026According to the New York Times, Russia has formally requested the US to stop pursuing the vessel. The Defence Forces and Irish Coast Guard have been responding to a dramatic increase in shadow fleet vessels appearing in the Irish EEZ over the last year. However, they have not yet been forced to deal with an unflagged oil tanker being actively pursued by another country through Irish waters while claiming the protection of a third. “Transiting through [the Irish EEZ] is the safest and cheapest option.

Source: The Irish Times January 03, 2026 07:31 UTC