TLDR: Iran’s Billions in Oil Exports Worrisome trends were revealed in the U.S. Energy Information Agency’s (EIA) first report about Iran’s petroleum exports, as required by the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act. According to the non-partisan Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD): “The report found that between 2021 and 2023, Tehran sold $144 billion...
Supply chain and logistics disruptions have emerged as a critical challenge for global commerce, reflecting the intricate interdependencies of modern trade networks. Factors such as geopolitical events, extreme weather, labor disputes, etc., can cause unprecedented fluctuations in trade routes, delays in shipping timelines, and escalated costs across industries. The ripple effects are felt worldwide, with...
Multi-INT, short for “multi-intelligence,” is the combination of different intelligence disciplines. Law enforcement agencies use a multi-INT approach to generate a more complete picture of maritime activities, threats, and vulnerabilities. This enables more effective decision-making and operational planning and is instrumental in detecting security threats, smuggling, piracy, and other maritime crimes. It strengthens their ability to protect maritime interests through collaborative intelligence and information sharing.
What Intelligence Disciplines are Part of a Multi-INT Approach?
Multi-INT consists of data from multiple sources. While not every multi-INT deployment uses each of the intelligence disciplines listed in the following table, these are the primary sources that make up multi-INT.
Intelligence Discipline
Description
Source
SIGINT
Signals intelligence: interception and analysis of electronic signals, communications, and transmissions.
Electronic signals, communications
IMINT
Imagery intelligence: collection and analysis of imagery from satellites, drones, and other sources.
Satellites, drones, aerial platforms
GEOINT
Geospatial intelligence: analysis of geographical and spatial information to understand patterns and relationships.
Satellite imagery, mapping data
HUMINT
Human intelligence: gathering intelligence from human sources, including agents, informants, and defectors.
Agents, informants, defectors
OSINT
Open-source intelligence: collection and analysis of publicly available information from various sources.
Publicly available sources, internet
MASINT
Measurement and signature intelligence: analysis of physical and technical data to detect and identify threats.
Sensors, technical data
Cyber Intelligence
Monitoring and analysis of cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and activities in cyberspace.
Cyber networks, internet
How Does Multi-INT Support Maritime Law Enforcement?
Law enforcement officials looking at just one source of data may not have a complete picture, and be unable to draw conclusions about whether a ship is involved in deceptive shipping practices.
Multi-INT, combined with a foundation of Maritime AI™ technologies, dramatically boosts maritime law enforcement capabilities, particularly in combating illicit activities (such as drug smuggling at sea). Here’s an example of how this integration can be leveraged in a drug bust scenario:
Maritime AI™ algorithms analyze patterns and anomalies in vessel movements and communication data, identifying suspicious behaviors, such as loitering in high-risk areas, or unusual deviations from standard shipping routes. The system flags these vessels for closer scrutiny, based on historical data and predictive modeling.
A Multi-INT Platform for Enhanced Operational Visibility
Leverage daily optical imagery on-demand: seamless, integrated delivery of daily global optical images without tasking requirements:
Greater coverage with 3m per pixel – high resolution with daily re-visits
Additional context for investigating moving objects
Investigate past events with an image library dating back to 2016
Extend visibility with on-demand SAR: overcome cloudy areas and nighttime with on-demand SAR images for pre-defined areas:
Total confidentiality, with independent, remote tasking not directly connected to tasking unit
A resolution range, according to your needs
Full night-time and cloudy area coverage
A new standard in operational intelligence: Maritime AI™ and predictive analytics enable enhanced remote sensing tipping and cueing, and can transform operations, as well as decision-making processes. Predictive analytics enrich the process by applying advanced, patent-pending algorithms to analyze behavioral trends and forecast future events.
What is Maritime Intelligence? Maritime intelligence refers to the systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and sharing data about activities and operations across the world’s oceans. It relies on advanced technologies like AI to monitor vessel behavior, identify patterns, detect anomalies, and deliver actionable insights. By leveraging these capabilities, maritime intelligence ensures safety, security, and operational...
What is Advanced Intelligence? Windward Advanced Intelligence is an AI-powered, automatic target generation and investigation solution designed to transform unknowns into actionable insights. Leveraging Early Detection technology, it flags critical behavioral anomalies and emerging trends, enabling the identification of hidden threats in key areas. With an AI-driven system that connects the dots and provides powerful...
What are Underwater Oil and Gas Pipelines? Underwater oil and gas pipelines are critical infrastructure mostly used to transport crude oil and natural gas. There are 20,000 miles of pipelines worldwide today. Constructed from steel or flexible materials, these pipelines are designed to withstand high pressure, corrosive environments, and extreme ocean conditions. How Do Underwater...
What are Autonomous Systems in the Maritime Industry? Autonomous systems in the maritime industry refer to advanced technologies and vessels that operate with minimal human intervention. These systems utilize AI, sensors, and navigation tools to enhance efficiency, safety, and decision-making. They are vital in increasing coverage, streamlining operations, and improving resource management for maritime activities....
What are Unmanned Systems? Law enforcement and defense agencies use unmanned maritime systems to achieve effective and actionable maritime domain awareness (MDA). Unmanned systems include remote-controlled boats, drifting buoys, drones, and satellites that provide visibility into areas that would otherwise be unmonitored. Four Examples of Unmanned Systems There are four different types of unmanned systems...
