Starboard Maritime Intelligence
@starboardintelligence.com
World-leading maritime intelligence platform enabling governments, defence & industry to understand activity across the world’s oceans.
Here's a link to the Starboard platform where you can see 1,000 of the vessels involved in the 11 January event: app.starboard.nz/link/31jtkam...
Starboard Maritime Intelligence
A monitoring product to increase our awareness of maritime activities
app.starboard.nz
January 20, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Here's a link to the Starboard platform where you can see 1,000 of the vessels involved in the 11 January event: app.starboard.nz/link/31jtkam...
Twice in recent weeks, China has mobilized thousands of fishing boats to practice forming massive “floating barriers” stretching roughly 460 kilometers.
militarnyi.com/en/news/chin...
militarnyi.com/en/news/chin...
China Mobilizes Thousands of Fishing Boats to Practice Naval Blockade - Militarnyi
The PLA operates a maritime militia that conducts so-called “gray zone” activities aimed at establishing de facto control over disputed waters near China.
militarnyi.com
January 18, 2026 at 9:57 PM
As noted in the article, reliable data is the counter to grey-zone ambiguity.
Detecting these anomalies requires persistent, multi-source Maritime Domain Awareness—looking beyond the dots on a screen to understand the intent behind the behaviour.
#MaritimeSecurity #MDA #GreyZone #Starboard #NYT
Detecting these anomalies requires persistent, multi-source Maritime Domain Awareness—looking beyond the dots on a screen to understand the intent behind the behaviour.
#MaritimeSecurity #MDA #GreyZone #Starboard #NYT
January 16, 2026 at 6:01 PM
As noted in the article, reliable data is the counter to grey-zone ambiguity.
Detecting these anomalies requires persistent, multi-source Maritime Domain Awareness—looking beyond the dots on a screen to understand the intent behind the behaviour.
#MaritimeSecurity #MDA #GreyZone #Starboard #NYT
Detecting these anomalies requires persistent, multi-source Maritime Domain Awareness—looking beyond the dots on a screen to understand the intent behind the behaviour.
#MaritimeSecurity #MDA #GreyZone #Starboard #NYT
Read the full investigation by The New York Times: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Starboard analyst @maritimekiwi.bsky.social noted the anomaly: “The sight of that many vessels operating in concert is staggering" adding "We have never seen a formation of this size and discipline before."
Starboard analyst @maritimekiwi.bsky.social noted the anomaly: “The sight of that many vessels operating in concert is staggering" adding "We have never seen a formation of this size and discipline before."
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/01/16/world/asia/china-ships-fishing-militia-blockade.html
t.co
January 16, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Read the full investigation by The New York Times: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Starboard analyst @maritimekiwi.bsky.social noted the anomaly: “The sight of that many vessels operating in concert is staggering" adding "We have never seen a formation of this size and discipline before."
Starboard analyst @maritimekiwi.bsky.social noted the anomaly: “The sight of that many vessels operating in concert is staggering" adding "We have never seen a formation of this size and discipline before."
Cook Islands had since de-registered many of the most dubious vessels, Douglas said, but there were "some left that have question marks over them".
January 15, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Cook Islands had since de-registered many of the most dubious vessels, Douglas said, but there were "some left that have question marks over them".
"It certainly seemed at its peak that it was 'pay to play'," said Douglas, now an analyst for Starboard Maritime Intelligence.
"If you turned up with some good paperwork and the cheque cleared, you were able to get the Cook Islands' flag."
"If you turned up with some good paperwork and the cheque cleared, you were able to get the Cook Islands' flag."
January 15, 2026 at 9:18 PM
"It certainly seemed at its peak that it was 'pay to play'," said Douglas, now an analyst for Starboard Maritime Intelligence.
"If you turned up with some good paperwork and the cheque cleared, you were able to get the Cook Islands' flag."
"If you turned up with some good paperwork and the cheque cleared, you were able to get the Cook Islands' flag."
Douglas said the vessels tracked through... East Johor, which according to reporting by Bloomberg last year was a notorious place for Iranian crude oil to be rebranded as Malaysian, before being exported to China.
Another, Douglas said, had made it to the Norwegian Sea headed for Russia.
Another, Douglas said, had made it to the Norwegian Sea headed for Russia.
January 15, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Douglas said the vessels tracked through... East Johor, which according to reporting by Bloomberg last year was a notorious place for Iranian crude oil to be rebranded as Malaysian, before being exported to China.
Another, Douglas said, had made it to the Norwegian Sea headed for Russia.
Another, Douglas said, had made it to the Norwegian Sea headed for Russia.
"It's just not something that Tonga is known for doing.... if there's an accident it would be in the hands of the flag state to fix that problem," he said.
"Tonga is obviously not wanting to deal with this problem, but somebody's trying to pretend that they do."
"Tonga is obviously not wanting to deal with this problem, but somebody's trying to pretend that they do."
January 15, 2026 at 7:39 PM
"It's just not something that Tonga is known for doing.... if there's an accident it would be in the hands of the flag state to fix that problem," he said.
"Tonga is obviously not wanting to deal with this problem, but somebody's trying to pretend that they do."
"Tonga is obviously not wanting to deal with this problem, but somebody's trying to pretend that they do."
The ADONIA was sanctioned in September by the Foreign Office for conducting illicit trades as part of Russia’s shadow fleet.
@maritimekiwi.bsky.social, at the maritime monitoring firm, said this latest sighting showed the need for “continued, persistent monitoring of UK waters”.
@maritimekiwi.bsky.social, at the maritime monitoring firm, said this latest sighting showed the need for “continued, persistent monitoring of UK waters”.
January 14, 2026 at 9:43 AM
The ADONIA was sanctioned in September by the Foreign Office for conducting illicit trades as part of Russia’s shadow fleet.
@maritimekiwi.bsky.social, at the maritime monitoring firm, said this latest sighting showed the need for “continued, persistent monitoring of UK waters”.
@maritimekiwi.bsky.social, at the maritime monitoring firm, said this latest sighting showed the need for “continued, persistent monitoring of UK waters”.
From the Pacific to the Mediterranean, these vessels are now transiting critical maritime chokepoints under Russian protection.
We are witnessing a fundamental shift in sanctions evasion mechanics. Countering this requires persistent, fused intelligence—not just AIS tracking.
We are witnessing a fundamental shift in sanctions evasion mechanics. Countering this requires persistent, fused intelligence—not just AIS tracking.
January 14, 2026 at 2:39 AM
From the Pacific to the Mediterranean, these vessels are now transiting critical maritime chokepoints under Russian protection.
We are witnessing a fundamental shift in sanctions evasion mechanics. Countering this requires persistent, fused intelligence—not just AIS tracking.
We are witnessing a fundamental shift in sanctions evasion mechanics. Countering this requires persistent, fused intelligence—not just AIS tracking.
This isn't happening in the dark anymore.
Bloomberg reports on how these vessels are openly shifting flags to evade sanctions.
As our analyst @maritimekiwi.bsky.social warns: "The story is really a persistent, global reflagging... It’s unlikely to stop"
🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Bloomberg reports on how these vessels are openly shifting flags to evade sanctions.
As our analyst @maritimekiwi.bsky.social warns: "The story is really a persistent, global reflagging... It’s unlikely to stop"
🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Dark Fleet Seeking Russian Protection as US Seizes Oil Tankers
The dark fleet of tankers shipping illicit oil around the world is rushing to seek the perceived protection of the Russian flag after the US started seizing vessels involved in the Venezuelan trade.
www.bloomberg.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:39 AM
This isn't happening in the dark anymore.
Bloomberg reports on how these vessels are openly shifting flags to evade sanctions.
As our analyst @maritimekiwi.bsky.social warns: "The story is really a persistent, global reflagging... It’s unlikely to stop"
🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Bloomberg reports on how these vessels are openly shifting flags to evade sanctions.
As our analyst @maritimekiwi.bsky.social warns: "The story is really a persistent, global reflagging... It’s unlikely to stop"
🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Starboard Maritime Intelligence
The action was following the publication of this article by Sealight which used @starboardintelligence.com data to investigate a dredger operating in the area using some very interesting AIS details…
www.sealight.live/posts/the-hy...
www.sealight.live/posts/the-hy...
The Hydra of Manila Bay
One dredger, six flags, thirty identities. What game is the dredger Kang Ling 539 playing, and why hasn't anyone in Manila put a stop to it?
www.sealight.live
January 7, 2026 at 2:16 AM
The action was following the publication of this article by Sealight which used @starboardintelligence.com data to investigate a dredger operating in the area using some very interesting AIS details…
www.sealight.live/posts/the-hy...
www.sealight.live/posts/the-hy...
Reposted by Starboard Maritime Intelligence
@tankertrackers.com I can see where the four in the @nytimes.com article (BERTHA, VESNA, and VERONICA III). I'm guessing you also clocked these four that @starboardintelligence.com spotted west of Granada on 5 January - any idea who they are?
January 7, 2026 at 8:44 AM
@tankertrackers.com I can see where the four in the @nytimes.com article (BERTHA, VESNA, and VERONICA III). I'm guessing you also clocked these four that @starboardintelligence.com spotted west of Granada on 5 January - any idea who they are?
Reposted by Starboard Maritime Intelligence
Thanks @pa.nton.cx for the heads up - MARINERA and mystery vessel on Sentinel-2 imagery around 19:00h UTC, 06 January. Appears likely to be the USCG: www.twz.com/news-feature...
January 7, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Thanks @pa.nton.cx for the heads up - MARINERA and mystery vessel on Sentinel-2 imagery around 19:00h UTC, 06 January. Appears likely to be the USCG: www.twz.com/news-feature...
Reposted by Starboard Maritime Intelligence
From @richardholmes.bsky.social
“The British government fear a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker 200 miles off British waters could spark retaliation from Vladimir Putin… It is due to pass into European waters within hours, according to data provided by @starboardintelligence.com ”
“The British government fear a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker 200 miles off British waters could spark retaliation from Vladimir Putin… It is due to pass into European waters within hours, according to data provided by @starboardintelligence.com ”
Putin's runaway tanker is 200 miles off UK waters. And US forces are massing in Britain
UK and European officials fear a US attempt to seize the vessel could provoke retaliation from Moscow
inews.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 8:27 PM
From @richardholmes.bsky.social
“The British government fear a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker 200 miles off British waters could spark retaliation from Vladimir Putin… It is due to pass into European waters within hours, according to data provided by @starboardintelligence.com ”
“The British government fear a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker 200 miles off British waters could spark retaliation from Vladimir Putin… It is due to pass into European waters within hours, according to data provided by @starboardintelligence.com ”