The maritime industry faced significant disruptions in the fourth quarter of 2024. Increased sanctions and geopolitical tensions, coupled with the emergence of new illicit activities like underwater infrastructure damage and LPG smuggling, created a complex and challenging operating environment. The rise of new “convenience flags” further complicated the global trading landscape, according to Windward.
Threat To Critical Infra
The Baltic Sea region has witnessed a concerning increase in incidents involving the damage of undersea cables. Since November 2024, three undersea cables have been intentionally severed, raising serious security concerns.
Analysis reveals a significant rise in this type of activity in the fourth quarter of 2024, with the monthly average of damaging behavior increasing by 49% compared to the yearly average. These incidents highlight the vulnerability of critical undersea infrastructure and the need for enhanced security measures to protect these vital assets.
LPG Smuggling
In 2024, at least 26 LPG tankers made 58 journeys from the Persian Gulf to Bangladesh. This represents a significant increase compared to 2023, suggesting a potential rise in LPG smuggling activities.
Analysis indicates that almost half of these tankers exhibited behavior patterns consistent with illegal LPG smuggling operations.
This data highlights the potential for increased illicit activities in the region and underscores the need for enhanced monitoring and enforcement measures to combat illegal LPG trade. Many other threats loom.
Click here to read the full report
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Windward
