the US Coast Guard began its pursuit of the oil tanker - known as a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) - two weeks ago as it sailed to Venezuela to pick up an oil shipment.

Defence and security analyst Declan Power told BreakingNews.ie that Ireland has a "limited means to monitor" the shadow fleet, which has been seen multiple times sailing in Irish waters, or in Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone, this year

A total of 557 vessels in the shadow fleet are now listed by the EU