What Is a False Flag Vessel, and Why Is the Problem Growing?
At a Glance What Is a False Flag Vessel? A false flag vessel is a ship that broadcasts the flag of a country whose maritime administration has not authorized the vessel to fly it. The vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmits a country identifier that is either not recognized by that country’s official registry, or…
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What Defensible Marine Insurance Compliance Looks Like in 2026
At a Glance Compliance Sits at the Center of the Coverage Process Compliance managers in marine insurance carry a heavier operational load in 2026 than at any point in the recent past. The coverage process has five stages: new business enquiry, underwriting, ongoing monitoring, claims, and renewal. Compliance touches four of them, more than any…
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Beyond AIS: Why Raw Tracking Data Isn’t Enough for Naval Procurement Anymore
At a Glance Procurement Is Asking for Tracking When It Needs Intelligence Naval procurement conversations across 2026 increasingly begin with the same request. The service needs better vessel tracking. The requirement documents specify AIS coverage, refresh rates, and geographic zones. The evaluation criteria focus on data volume, latency, and integration formats. But tracking is not…
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A Fatal Strike and the First Seizure Since June as Iran’s Transit Rules Take Effect
At a Glance A Chief Engineer Killed Aboard a Bulk Carrier Exiting Hormuz MINOAN DIGNITY (IMO 9294484), a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier of 225 meters and 76,801 DWT, was struck by an unknown projectile in its engine room while transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz southern corridor overnight on August 17 to 18. The vessel’s…
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