Executive brief #3 From AIS screening to behavior analysis

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) has profoundly changed our understanding of what is happening at sea, providing a deeper understanding of where ships are and where they are headed at all times. However, what AIS does not answer is: What is the ship doing? Why is it doing that? What is its importance?

A skilled analyst can answer that question, however, they may require hours or even days to do so. With the rise of false positives, this means transactions would slow down significantly, transforming compliance risks into operational risks.

Training artificial intelligence algorithms to conduct expert shipping analysis automatically speeds-up vessel due diligence processes and provides compliance professionals with always up-to-date recommendations. Such automation helps minimize false positives and maintain existing compliance frameworks and controls without needing additional domain experts.

Key takeaways

• AIS manipulations and sanctions evasion – Behavior analysis can shed light on the context of questionable activities at sea, generating valuable insights that can support decision making.
• Behavior analysis: The case of the Pacific Bravo – To determine whether or not a vessel was evading sanctions requires deep domain knowledge, expertise in sanctions evasion typologies, and above all, time.
• Scale up behavior analysis with artificial intelligence (AI) – Integrating advanced AI capabilities into vessel due diligence enables automatic clearance of low-risk events and flags suspicious patterns of behavior.

Download the full brief

Featured posts

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

March 3, 2026: Iran War Maritime Intelligence Daily

At a Glance Operational Overview  As of March 3, the maritime environment reflects the declared closure of the Strait of Hormuz and sustained commercial withdrawal from the corridor rather than temporary hesitation. On March 2, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards formally declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and warned that vessels attempting transit would be targeted. Traffic…

Read more

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

March 2, 2026: Iran War Maritime Intelligence Daily

At a Glance Operational Summary As of March 2, 2026, tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has collapsed following vessel strikes and escalating military activity in the Gulf. While Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, the past 24 hours reflect the operational consequences: suspended transits, halted tanker movement, insurance withdrawal, and precautionary vessel…

Read more

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

48 Hours Into the Iran War: A Maritime Intelligence Breakdown

At a Glance Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz At 01:15 ET on February 28, U.S. and partner forces began coordinated strikes against Iranian military targets under Operation Epic Fury. Within hours, missile exchanges followed across the Gulf, placing one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints inside an active conflict zone. Forty-eight hours later,…

Read more

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Widespread GPS Jamming Hits 1,000-plus Ships in the Middle East

At a Glance Escalating Electronic Interference Across the Gulf Widespread GPS jamming has affected more than 1,100 ships in the Middle East Gulf in the past 24 hours, erroneously placing vessels at airports, a nuclear power plant, and on land in areas of Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Electronic interference with ships’ Automatic…

Read more

RISKS & COMPLIANCE

U.S. Treasury Expands Pressure on Iran’s Shadow Fleet and Weapons Procurement Networks

At a Glance Expanding Pressure on Iran’s Maritime and Weapons Networks On February 25, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated more than 30 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Iran’s shadow fleet and to networks supporting ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons production. The action targets two…

Read more

RISKS & COMPLIANCE

The EU Maritime Services Ban That Didn’t Pass: Implications for Russian Trade

At a Glance A Sanctions Escalation That Stalled The European Union’s proposed maritime services ban on Russia was expected to mark a structural escalation in sanctions enforcement. Instead, EU ministers failed to reach an agreement, delaying the adoption of the bloc’s 20th sanctions package after opposition led by Hungary, with at least one other member…

Read more