From data to defensible evidence: Inside the evolving standards of maritime vigilance

LAST year, a Lloyd’s List Intelligence investigation revealed how the Gulf of Oman has emerged as a key hub for covert transhipment of Russian crude, where sanctioned and non‑sanctioned tankers engage in complex ship‑to‑ship operations designed to evade detection.

The research uncovered a suite of sophisticated tactics — including AIS manipulation that mimics legitimate sailing patterns — to conceal multiple transfers. Working with Synmax, Lloyd’s List Intelligence was able to verify vessel behaviour even when AIS signals were spoofed or fully switched off, providing visibility into activities typically hidden from view.

This case highlights a broader trend: growing opacity across the maritime domain. From spoofing and dark STS operations to complex ownership networks and high‑stakes compliance investigations, the challenges facing regulators, insurers, and operators are escalating rapidly.

To counter this, Lloyd’s List Intelligence and Synmax have launched a new partnership that delivers intelligence far beyond traditional imagery or AIS. By integrating diverse data sources with expert analysis, the on‑demand service — accessible now via Seasearcher — identifies gaps between reported and actual vessel activity. The result: reduced uncertainty and stronger legal, regulatory and insurance defensibility.

In this week’s The Shipping Podcast, Lloyd’s List Intelligence’s global head of compliance and regulatory affairs, Eric Orsini, is joined by Synmax chief executive Eric Anderson to explore how advanced satellite intelligence is transforming maritime investigations and providing a critical additional layer of verification.

Bridget Diakun, Lloyd’s List Intelligence’s senior risk and compliance analyst, also explains how this technology is being used to aid the detection and verification of shadow fleet* activity.