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. File photograph: UK Ministry of Defence via The New York TimesThe US military has sent aircraft to monitor the presence of a fugitive oil tanker off Ireland’s west coast as the vessel sails for safe harbour in Russia. By Sunday night, it was about 450 nautical miles off the Irish west coast. Its current direction suggests it will skirt the outer north-western edge of the Irish EEZ on its way to Russia. 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.

Source: The Irish Times January 04, 2026 21:12 UTC