Interpol is looking to artificial intelligence to help combat smuggling, piracy, human trafficking and the transportation of illegal goods.
The world’s largest international police organisation has teamed up with maritime AI company Windward.
London-listed Windward said its technology will provide “valuable intelligence and insights to help identify, track and prevent criminal activities”.
“The vastness of the oceans and the sheer magnitude of vessels and containers in operation make maritime security a challenging task, especially due to its international nature,” it added.
“The lack of actionable visibility in the maritime domain emboldens criminals, negatively impacts global trade and poses significant national and international security threats.
“Through this partnership, Interpol will leverage our insights to advance investigations of suspicious vessels, activities and areas of interest worldwide.”
Chief executive Ami Daniel said the company’s AI capabilities will make a “significant impact in addressing the critical issue of maritime crime and making the seas safer for global trade”.
Windward says its maritime AI platform uses advanced machine learning and behavioural analytics models, utilising billions of data points to provide valuable insights into vessel behaviours and ownership structures, and predict in real-time which vessels are likely to be involved in illicit activities.
Hasan Khajah, coordinator of Interpol’s maritime security unit, said tackling maritime crime has become a crucial mission for law enforcement agencies.
“We work with local, regional and international stakeholders to reduce maritime crime globally and improve maritime governance,” he said.
“We welcome the opportunity to leverage Windward’s technological and maritime expertise to bolster our enforcement capabilities and help achieve a safer maritime environment.”
In November, Windward signed a five-year contract worth €3.2m ($3.5m) with a European national coast guard to use the technology to protect against the increasing sophistication of maritime bad actors.
In a market update last month, the company described 2023 as a “record year” for winning multiple new customers while expanding its offering.
“As the evolving events in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the security situation in the Red Sea demonstrate, the need for visibility and actionable insight across all facets of the maritime industry continues to grow, driving adoption of our maritime AI platform,” said Daniel.
