Crisis to Control: Security Teams Can Protect Global Fleets

The Sounion vessel was carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil when it was hit by gunfire from two small boats that approached it 77 nautical miles (143 km) west of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office.

The ship was later struck by three unidentified projectiles, causing a fire and disrupting engine function. 

This August attack is one of the more recent examples of how maritime threats are multiplying, and global enterprises are facing unprecedented challenges. 

One unexpected incident can disrupt entire supply chains, put valuable assets at risk, and impact both safety and profitability. This is where security teams become indispensable – acting as the frontline defense to safeguard crews, vessels, cargo, and company interests from the volatile and unpredictable nature of global waters.

For these teams, staying ahead of potential threats isn’t just a necessity – it’s mission-critical for the safety and success of the business.

The Dual Role of Asset and Facility Security Teams

Security operations in large enterprises often separate into two distinct areas: asset security and facility security, each with unique missions. Asset security teams focus on monitoring the behavior and safety of vessels to secure the assets and cargo onboard, while facility security teams handle broader security concerns, including the protection of offshore facilities and continuous production.

Two Use Cases for Enterprise Security Teams

Based on Windward’s extensive work with global enterprises, we have identified several core areas that security teams should prioritize. 

Let’s look at two prominent use cases:

Pre-Chartering: Assessing Risk Before the Deal

Before entering into any new chartering deals, security teams play a vital role in evaluating the potential vessel risks. Their input ensures that businesses make informed decisions. 

Areas of focus may include:

• What are the chances of the vessel being attacked, particularly in volatile regions like the Red Sea, where Houthi attacks are currently common?
  • What is the vessel’s current or past ownership? Is it affiliated with countries such as the U.S., UK, and Israel, that are at elevated risk of being attacked in the Red Sea? These affiliations can impact the vessel’s safety and risk profile.
• Has the vessel called port at any high-risk or war-zone ports in the past year? This can raise red flags about the vessel’s exposure to risky areas.
• What is the vessel’s current overall risk profile? Should the company proceed with the charter, or is it too risky to work with this vessel?

Asset Monitoring: Real-Time Awareness of Vessel Activity

Security teams for enterprise businesses must have a constant view of vessel activity to ensure the safety and efficiency of their operations. Asset monitoring is crucial for tracking the behavior of various types of vessels, including:

• Keeping tabs on the fleet’s whereabouts and safety
• Monitoring third-party vessels that are temporarily part of operations
• Ensuring that vessels transporting cargo navigate safely, even if the org. doesn’t own or operate them directly
• Staying informed about competitors’ movements to maintain a competitive edge

Key questions security teams often ask include:

• Where are my vessels at any given time?
• Are my vessels or cargo transiting through dangerous areas, such as the Red Sea or other volatile regions?
• Are my competitors’ vessels passing through these high-risk zones?

Stay Ahead of Threats with Windward

To further enhance global fleet protection, security teams require the right tools to stay ahead of evolving threats. Windward’s advanced solutions empower these teams to take control, offering a range of capabilities designed to support both high-level screening and in-depth investigations.

• Organization Defined Risk: Windward’s solution empowers organizations to define their own unique risk criteria, going beyond regulatory vessel activities to incorporate complex behaviors and scenarios relevant to their specific operating environment – whether for pre-chartering, or asset monitoring. Our advanced AI models continuously monitor these customized risk profiles, generating real-time alerts whenever a vessel’s activity matches the defined parameters.

• Comprehensive vessel profiles: access in-depth vessel data, including ownership, behavior, history, flags, and past incidents or violations. Paired with Gen-AI automated risk assessments, these profiles streamline both the screening and investigation processes, saving time and resources.
• Detect and investigate deceptive shipping practices: security teams can easily analyze AIS gaps, potential spoofing attempts, or other deceptive practices that may indicate illicit activity. This is essential for screening and deeper investigations, ensuring that potential threats are swiftly identified and addressed.

• Polygon-based monitoring for enhanced security: organizations can establish virtual perimeters and trigger customized alerts in real time by defining an unlimited amount of polygonal zones around key assets. This allows security teams to closely monitor vessel activities in predefined areas, ensuring constant awareness of potential risks.

• Visualized vessel activity: security teams can track vessels of interest on a detailed, interactive map, providing historical insights that reveal patterns and potential anomalies. This visibility supports both high-level oversight and focused investigations.
• Uncover hidden networks with link analysis: Windward’s link analysis feature identifies potential relationships between vessels, companies, and individuals, uncovering hidden networks and affiliations that may go undetected. This tool helps security teams navigate complex affiliations, offering deeper insight into potential risks.

Securing the Future of Maritime Operations

Global enterprises need security teams to protect vital assets, minimize risk, and maintain operational continuity in a volatile environment. 

By leveraging advanced technologies like Windward’s platform, businesses can stay ahead of these growing threats and confidently navigate global waters. Real-time monitoring, risk assessments, and data-driven insights empower security teams to act swiftly and decisively, ensuring the safety of vessels and cargo in high-risk areas. 

Get Better Control of Your Fleet’s Security