- Vessel sanctioned by the UK and EU, flagged as an environmental risk.
- The ship has used six different registries since 2020.
- Irish Coast Guard increases surveillance but avoids direct challenges.
An increasing number of shadow fleet tankers are now navigating the west coast of Ireland to avoid the English Channel, where they might be asked to show their insurance documents. Instead, these vessels are opting for a longer route that takes them north past Scotland and around the west of Ireland, where tracking technology is less sophisticated and the chances of being asked for documentation are slim, reports Marine Insight.
Latest Case: Tanker Blue with False Flag
The latest case involves the ageing tanker Blue, which made its way south along Ireland’s west coast. Before entering the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the vessel turned off its AIS signal and had previously loaded crude oil at Ust-Luga, departing on July 31, 2025.
Blue is under sanctions from both the UK and EU and is flagged as an environmental risk. Built in 2003 with a deadweight of 169,000 DWT, the tanker is falsely registered in Benin. Since 2020, it has operated under four different identities and claimed registration under six flags: Benin, Antigua and Barbuda, Liberia, Palau, Djibouti, and Cyprus.
Management Links and Flag Irregularities
Reports suggest that the vessel has been managed from Turkey since 2024. Irish authorities noted that Blue has drawn attention specifically due to its false flag status.
Ireland’s Monitoring Measures
In response to the growing number of shadow fleet tankers passing through the Irish EEZ, the Irish Coast Guard has implemented new tracking measures. These include deploying the Air Corps and Naval Service for surveillance. However, unlike the UK and Baltic nations, Ireland is not currently challenging ships to confirm their identity or insurance documents.
After turning its AIS back on, Blue is now making its way towards the Suez Canal at a speed of 10 knots.
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Source: Marine Insight
