Maritime Crime and the Black Sea

Maritime Crime Overview

• Maritime crime encompasses various illicit activities within the maritime domain
• The maritime domain includes all areas adjacent to sea, oceans, waterways, and related activities, infrastructure, people, cargo, and vessels
• A significant portion of the world's trade (~90%) and population (~40% within 100km of the coast) is situated near the maritime domain
• The area covers ~72% of the earth's surface

Illicit Activities

• Commodity Trafficking: Movement of illegal goods, often using shipping containers or other methods for transit
• Irregular Migration: Individuals entering a country without authorization (often at sea), involving human trafficking/smuggling
• Cyber Crime: Online attacks on maritime systems (e.g., spoofing ships' locations using GPS signals)
• Environmental Crimes: Illegal fishing practices (IUU Fishing), pollution, or related offenses in the maritime domain
• Piracy and Armed Robbery: Attacks on ships in international or territorial waters

Case Study: Black Sea

• Culture: Influenced by Europe, Russia, and the Middle East
• Geography: Key waterways (e.g., Dnieper, Danube, Don Rivers, Turkish Straits)
• Geopolitics: Involvement of different geopolitical alliances (e.g., EU, NATO, CIS, BRI)
• Protracted Conflicts: Historical/ongoing issues such as Transnistria, Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Crimea, and Donbas have created instability
• Characteristics: High poverty, income inequality, low welfare, and shifting power dynamics are key factors

Modus Operandi (Methods)

• Rip-on/Rip-off: Taking goods using fraudulent activities
• Switching: Replacing legitimate cargo
• Container Structure/Vessels: concealing goods inside legitimate shipping or commercial vessels
• Inflatable/Speed Boats: Used for fast transport and covert operations
• Underwater Attachments: Securing goods underwater and/or concealing activity
• Semi-Submersibles: Large underwater vehicles able to avoid detection

Opioid Trafficking

• Afghanistan accounts for a large proportion of global opium production
• There are an estimated 3.1 million opioid users in Europe

Cyber Attacks

• Spoofing: Cyberattacks that impersonate a known source/location
• GPS Spoofing: Changing or faking location data for vessels using GPS signals
• Software Defined Radios (SDR): Low-cost devices used to spoof, making detection and prevention more challenging

Sustainable Solutions

• The diagram shows an interconnected approach to maritime security that considers economic, social, and environmental aspects
• It emphasizes the development of a "Blue Economy," which includes aspects like creating energy, developing fishing and aquaculture, supporting coastal tourism, and fostering trade and commerce
• To achieve this, international organizations/countries need to collaborate on policies and measures

Discussion Questions

• How do new technologies affect maritime security?
• What factors hinder collaboration amongst countries in areas where geopolitical tensions exist?
• How can criminals adapt in maritime operations when facing law enforcement solutions?

Test your knowledge of maritime crime, the geopolitical context of the Black Sea, and environmental concerns related to oceans. This quiz includes questions on various facets of maritime activities, cybercrime, and specific characteristics of the Black Sea Basin. Challenge yourself to see how well you understand these complex topics.