From Brexit, to refugees, to spillovers from the Syrian and Libyan civil wars – there’s plenty to keep Europeans up at night. And these are just the things we can see. What about the stuff we can’t?
The second edition of our European Threat Map reveals some of the anomalies found when applying AI-driven, behavioral analysis to vessels, enabling organizations – such as Frontex and Italy’s Guardia di Finanza – to anticipate threats, and stay ahead of their adversaries.
Amid the drug smuggling, human trafficking and sanctions evasion detected, there are a number of key findings, including:
The Black Sea is significantly riskier than the Mediterranean; there are about three times as many “risky” vessels visiting the Black Sea vs the Med.
Despite EU sanctions on Syria and Crimea, commercial shipping activities continue to take place in the waters around these territories, indicating probable sanction evasions.
In Europe, Guernsey and Romania have the highest proportion of incorporated companies whose vessels display “risky” behavioral patterns.
Over the previous year, 42 vessels displayed patterns of behavior similar to ships caught with drugs on board.
Stay tuned for threat maps for other parts of the world. For now, stay safe!
Download a PDF of the map
Featured posts
IRAN WAR
One Month of War in the Gulf: Mapping the Global Maritime Disruption
At a Glance The First Month of the Iran War at Sea One month after the launch of Operation Epic Fury, the maritime system is no longer reacting to disruption. It is operating within it. The first days of the conflict triggered an immediate collapse in commercial confidence. Tankers halted, insurance coverage was withdrawn, and…
March 31, 2026: Iran War Maritime Intelligence Daily
At a Glance Operational Overview Transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains controlled rather than open, but throughput is increasing. On March 30, six AIS-transmitting vessels crossed the corridor, while additional movements likely occurred under partial or fully dark conditions. At the same time, vessel activity at Bandar Abbas provides visibility into how this system…
March 30, 2026: Iran War Maritime Intelligence Daily
At a Glance Operational Overview Global oil and maritime markets are now facing simultaneous pressure across three critical export nodes. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed under selective IRGC-controlled transit. Ust-Luga has sustained its fifth UAV attack in seven days. Yanbu is operating as the primary alternative outlet for Gulf crude while facing a…
Week Four of the Iran War: A Maritime Intelligence Breakdown
At a Glance The Fourth Week of the Iran War at Sea Four weeks into the conflict, maritime activity is no longer defined by disruption alone, but by the emergence of a new operating model. The system has not stopped. It has adapted. The Strait of Hormuz is functioning under controlled access rather than open…
March 29, 2026: Iran War Maritime Intelligence Daily
At a Glance Operational Overview Maritime activity in and around the Strait of Hormuz is entering a more restrictive and unpredictable phase. While vessel movement continues through the Iranian-managed corridor near Larak Island, access is no longer consistent or assured. Approval is increasingly conditional, opaque, and subject to shifting criteria. The clearest signal of this…
March 27, 2026: Iran War Maritime Intelligence Daily
At a Glance Operational Overview Maritime activity in and around the Strait of Hormuz has entered a new phase. The system is no longer defined by suppression of traffic, but by its selective reintroduction under an increasingly formalized Iranian control regime. On March 26, seven non-Iranian vessels completed confirmed transits through the Strait, marking a…
Ground Truth: Windward’s 2026 Commitment to Verified Maritime Intelligence
By Ariel Zibziner, VP Business Services, Windward Data Integrity in an Era of High-Frequency Signal Manipulation As we conclude 2025, the maritime domain is characterized by a trust deficit in digital signaling. The convergence of major global conflicts — continued hostilities in Ukraine, Houthi attacks disrupting Red Sea transit, suspected infrastructure sabotage in the Baltic,...
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....