At a Glance The Invisible Layer of Remote Sensing Intelligence In maritime intelligence, what you can’t see often matters most. RF signals — the radio frequency emissions produced by shipboard systems — are a constant, invisible signature of activity at sea. Every vessel equipped with radar, VHF radio, or satellite communications transmits unique patterns that...
At a Glance The All-Weather Foundation of Remote Sensing Intelligence Visibility is a constant challenge in maritime operations – cloud cover, darkness, and adverse weather often obscure activity, leaving critical gaps in awareness. SAR imagery – short for synthetic aperture radar imagery – solves this problem by using radar signals instead of light. Unlike optical...
Deceptive shipping practices are tactics employed by bad actors to avoid detection and possible sanctions. But why are maritime stakeholders under the spotlight? The reason that regulators continuously shift increasing responsibility on due diligence towards the maritime ecosystem is because shipping plays a significant role in the global supply chain. This fact hasn’t been overlooked by regulators, as they. The recent advisory from U.S. authorities has, for the first time, detailed the responsibilities and expectations that private businesses connected to the maritime sector must adhere to.
OFAC numbered seven deceptive shipping practices that should be part of an effective compliance process. But simply knowing about them is not enough. How do you identify deceptive shipping practices with traditional matching tools? Well, you can’t. Bad actors today have become experts of their craft and the only way to keep up is with dynamic, AI-powered tools.
As trade sanctions increase, knowing which vessels you can safely do business with is of growing importance across the wider business environment. Today, it is not enough to “Know Your Customer” (KYC); you need to “Know Your Vessel” (KYV). And only strong tools are capable of identifying real-time risk factors at the vessel level.
We recently published a guide on exactly what executives need to know when it comes to deceptive shipping practices. Below are some key takeaways:
New decade, new standards – recent advisories published by U.S. and U.K authorities have raised the bar for players across the supply chain
Goodbye matching tools – Identifying deceptive shipping practices is drastically different from traditional sanctions list screening.
By analyzing vessel behaviors, organizations can proactively identify counterparties that may expose them to sanctions risk.
A sophisticated regulatory environment calls for a sophisticated solution. So what should you do? Onboard more tools and train more staff? The resulting costs and resources, without necessarily more accuracy, can outweigh the benefits. To help our partners manage at risk at scale, Windward automatically vets risk, while accounting for hundreds of risk factors in real-time.
Get the guide to learn more.
Featured posts
Border Security & Intelligence
Radio Frequency (RF) Detection: Listening to the Signals Ships Can’t Hide
At a Glance The Invisible Layer of Remote Sensing Intelligence In maritime intelligence, what you can’t see often matters most. RF signals — the radio frequency emissions produced by shipboard systems — are a constant, invisible signature of activity at sea. Every vessel equipped with radar, VHF radio, or satellite communications transmits unique patterns that…
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): The All-Weather Eye on the Oceans
At a Glance The All-Weather Foundation of Remote Sensing Intelligence Visibility is a constant challenge in maritime operations – cloud cover, darkness, and adverse weather often obscure activity, leaving critical gaps in awareness. SAR imagery – short for synthetic aperture radar imagery – solves this problem by using radar signals instead of light. Unlike optical…
Electro-Optical (EO) Imagery: Bringing Maritime Intelligence Into Focus
At a Glance The Visual Foundation of Remote Sensing Intelligence From detecting ship-to-ship (STS) transfers to confirming cargo operations, decisions in the maritime domain often depend on what can be seen and verified. EO imagery – short for electro-optical imagery – provides that visual proof. Unlike sensor data or automated alerts, EO imagery delivers a…
Tanker Freight Rates Hit Five-Year High Amid Russian Oil Sanctions Shake-Out
Russian Crude Faces Mounting Sanctions Pressure At least two blacklisted tankers carrying 1.4 million barrels of Russian crude are tracked at anchor outside the port of Mundra, India, in the first signs that fresh Western sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil are curbing exports. Sierra Leone-flagged Kusto (IMO 9308833) and Ailana (IMO 9232888) have been waiting…
Sanctioned, Stateless, and Still Sailing: Expert Insights from the Frontlines of Maritime Sanctions
At a Glance: A Turning Point for Sanctions, Security, and Shipping In Q4 2025, maritime sanctions enforcement took another leap forward. With the EU’s 19th sanctions package and OFAC’s designation of Rosneft and Lukoil, regulators made it clear that energy flows, not just vessels, are now at the center of enforcement strategies. While sanctions designations…
At a Glance Why 2025 Broke the Old Sanctions Playbook Maritime compliance in 2025 evolved so quickly that by the time teams adapted, the landscape had already changed again. Every quarter introduced a new layer of complexity: expanded lists, novel evasion tactics, jurisdictional gaps. For trading firms, risk teams, and anyone involved in maritime due…
Windward Launches WhatsApp Integration for Instant Risk Insights
At a Glance Redefining Vessel Screening for a Real-Time World In global trade and shipping, decisions are rarely made from behind a desk. A call from port control, a sudden request from a counterpart, or a time-sensitive deal can trigger the need for immediate screening. Whether it’s a compliance check to prevent sanctions breaches or...
Navigate 2025’s Maritime Risk Landscape with Maritime AI™ at London International Shipping Week
As the global shipping community gathers for London International Shipping Week (LISW) 2025, one reality stands out: disruption is the operating environment, not the exception. The maritime ecosystem is under sustained pressure, and adapting to this high risk era is now a prerequisite for business continuity. From sanctions and signal interference to fraudulent documents and...
AI-Automated Document Validation: Streamlining Trade Against Real Maritime Activity
Global trade still runs on paper. Bills of Lading, certificates of origin, price attestations, and other documents remain the backbone of maritime trade, yet also its most persistent Achilles’ heel. Forged paperwork fuels fraud, delays compliance, and stalls cargo worth millions. Windward’s new AI-Automated Document Validation changes that, by cross-checking every document against what actually...
From Risk Platform to Collaborative Ecosystem: Reducing Friction in Chartering
By Ami Daniel, Co-Founder & CEO, Windward When we founded Windward.ai in 2010, we were a small startup of engineers and maritime experts using AI to bring order to chaotic oceans. Today, with nearly 300 customers — including governments, shipowners, energy firms, insurers, and traders — our Maritime AI™ platform influences billions in daily trade....
From AI Products to an AI Company: Windward’s Internal Gen AI Journey
By Ami Daniel, Co-Founder & CEO, Windward At Windward, we’ve always believed in staying ahead of the curve. But with Gen AI, the curve isn’t just shifting—it’s exploding. This isn’t just another tech wave. It’s a fundamental rewiring of how we operate, build, and scale. So we made a clear decision: AI isn’t a feature....
