Mark Douglas
@maritimekiwi.bsky.social
Let’s chat about ships: www.starboardintelligence.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-douglas-480953141
Interception or Drifting?
The claim of a "US Warship Blocks Russian Tanker" is a compelling headline, but I have yet to see published evidence that a US vessel was involved, while the tanker’s movements and ownership—while highly questionable—are not fully consistent with the story.
The claim of a "US Warship Blocks Russian Tanker" is a compelling headline, but I have yet to see published evidence that a US vessel was involved, while the tanker’s movements and ownership—while highly questionable—are not fully consistent with the story.
November 23, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Interception or Drifting?
The claim of a "US Warship Blocks Russian Tanker" is a compelling headline, but I have yet to see published evidence that a US vessel was involved, while the tanker’s movements and ownership—while highly questionable—are not fully consistent with the story.
The claim of a "US Warship Blocks Russian Tanker" is a compelling headline, but I have yet to see published evidence that a US vessel was involved, while the tanker’s movements and ownership—while highly questionable—are not fully consistent with the story.
Amazing to be able to track this. Vessel is now in the US EEZ. @starboardintelligence.com app.starboard.nz/link/2wdb16v...
November 16, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Amazing to be able to track this. Vessel is now in the US EEZ. @starboardintelligence.com app.starboard.nz/link/2wdb16v...
Typhoon Fung-wong brings shipping through the Taiwan Strait to an effective halt. @starboardintelligence.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Typhoon Fung-wong brings shipping through the Taiwan Strait to an effective halt. @starboardintelligence.com
Almost a month after entering the Baltic, and after over 2 weeks loitering in the Latvian and Estonian EEZs, AK ANA #IMO9239642 has finally make it to Ust-Luga. Currently non-sanctioned with flag, P&I and class in order. We'll see if she's sticking to the price cap when the next sanctions come out.
November 10, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Almost a month after entering the Baltic, and after over 2 weeks loitering in the Latvian and Estonian EEZs, AK ANA #IMO9239642 has finally make it to Ust-Luga. Currently non-sanctioned with flag, P&I and class in order. We'll see if she's sticking to the price cap when the next sanctions come out.
There's a 332m long tanker sitting in the Malaysian EEZ, having arrived from Venezuela on 01 November - location confirmed by @esa.int imagery. Her IMO number is invalid - it doesn't pass the check sum - and there is no vessel matching her description called ALICE. So my question is...
November 4, 2025 at 7:38 PM
There's a 332m long tanker sitting in the Malaysian EEZ, having arrived from Venezuela on 01 November - location confirmed by @esa.int imagery. Her IMO number is invalid - it doesn't pass the check sum - and there is no vessel matching her description called ALICE. So my question is...
Highly likely US CSG spotted in the South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal on @esa.int Sentinel optical imagery with @skylightmarine.bsky.social vessel detections on @starboardintelligence.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Highly likely US CSG spotted in the South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal on @esa.int Sentinel optical imagery with @skylightmarine.bsky.social vessel detections on @starboardintelligence.com
False flagged OZANNO #IMO9394935 making its way through the Baltic to Primorsk (self reported). Interesting only in that it's the 69th, maybe 70th vessel to go onto @pa.nton.cx's list.
To think I used to breathlessly watch these tankers sailing through, expecting someone to do something.
To think I used to breathlessly watch these tankers sailing through, expecting someone to do something.
November 3, 2025 at 10:24 AM
False flagged OZANNO #IMO9394935 making its way through the Baltic to Primorsk (self reported). Interesting only in that it's the 69th, maybe 70th vessel to go onto @pa.nton.cx's list.
To think I used to breathlessly watch these tankers sailing through, expecting someone to do something.
To think I used to breathlessly watch these tankers sailing through, expecting someone to do something.
Most still rely on PDFs, emails, and manual reporting between watch desks. Even the “world-leading” frameworks can’t exchange unclassified incident data through APIs or shared schemas.
November 2, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Most still rely on PDFs, emails, and manual reporting between watch desks. Even the “world-leading” frameworks can’t exchange unclassified incident data through APIs or shared schemas.
🛰️ The ocean has an information problem.
Hundreds of government-run centres track maritime incidents — piracy, smuggling, oil spills, collisions — yet almost none can share data with each other in real time.
Hundreds of government-run centres track maritime incidents — piracy, smuggling, oil spills, collisions — yet almost none can share data with each other in real time.
November 2, 2025 at 10:37 AM
🛰️ The ocean has an information problem.
Hundreds of government-run centres track maritime incidents — piracy, smuggling, oil spills, collisions — yet almost none can share data with each other in real time.
Hundreds of government-run centres track maritime incidents — piracy, smuggling, oil spills, collisions — yet almost none can share data with each other in real time.
@malwat1963.bsky.social spotted the reason - particularly bad storm in the Atlantic made the voyage too difficult.
November 1, 2025 at 11:14 AM
@malwat1963.bsky.social spotted the reason - particularly bad storm in the Atlantic made the voyage too difficult.
Give the man a prize! I always forget to check the weather!
November 1, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Give the man a prize! I always forget to check the weather!
#SABINA #IMO9524451 seems to have decided that it's easier to go through the channel, despite having no recorded P&I club. First time I've seen a tanker change course towards the channel. @conorgallagher.bsky.social have the Irish said something to scare people?
@starboardintelligence.com
@starboardintelligence.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:58 AM
#SABINA #IMO9524451 seems to have decided that it's easier to go through the channel, despite having no recorded P&I club. First time I've seen a tanker change course towards the channel. @conorgallagher.bsky.social have the Irish said something to scare people?
@starboardintelligence.com
@starboardintelligence.com
The activity of 68 of the 94 vessels the S&P database has listed as being insured by Maritime Mutual. Some interesting ports of call and taking the long way around Ireland and the United Kingdom @conorgallagher.bsky.social. And for @starboardint.bsky.social users: app.starboard.nz/link/4qy2kvt...
October 28, 2025 at 10:17 PM
The activity of 68 of the 94 vessels the S&P database has listed as being insured by Maritime Mutual. Some interesting ports of call and taking the long way around Ireland and the United Kingdom @conorgallagher.bsky.social. And for @starboardint.bsky.social users: app.starboard.nz/link/4qy2kvt...
The vessel’s had a busy few months since entering European waters at the end of June. Owned by “Alpha Marine Services” and operated by “Edison Chouest Offshore”
October 12, 2025 at 12:20 AM
The vessel’s had a busy few months since entering European waters at the end of June. Owned by “Alpha Marine Services” and operated by “Edison Chouest Offshore”
We have some pretty incredible ML/AI tools to identify this kind of identity manipulation and also classify vessel behaviour in these kinds of congested waters 😄
October 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
We have some pretty incredible ML/AI tools to identify this kind of identity manipulation and also classify vessel behaviour in these kinds of congested waters 😄
Had the privilege of presenting to the NATO Maritime Security Centre of Excellence as part of their biennial Ex MARSEC. Even had a chance to show the BORACAY detention!
Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to Istanbul. It looks like a great exercise, and a chance to vessel spot on the Bosphorus!
Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to Istanbul. It looks like a great exercise, and a chance to vessel spot on the Bosphorus!
October 2, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Had the privilege of presenting to the NATO Maritime Security Centre of Excellence as part of their biennial Ex MARSEC. Even had a chance to show the BORACAY detention!
Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to Istanbul. It looks like a great exercise, and a chance to vessel spot on the Bosphorus!
Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to Istanbul. It looks like a great exercise, and a chance to vessel spot on the Bosphorus!
⚓ French Navy may have joined Estonia in acting against the shadow fleet.
On 27 Sept, tanker BORCAY (IMO 9332810) was approached by a ship identifying as a French Navy warship. The two sailed in close proximity before the Navy vessel dropped from tracking and BORCAY veered toward the coast.
On 27 Sept, tanker BORCAY (IMO 9332810) was approached by a ship identifying as a French Navy warship. The two sailed in close proximity before the Navy vessel dropped from tracking and BORCAY veered toward the coast.
September 29, 2025 at 11:56 PM
⚓ French Navy may have joined Estonia in acting against the shadow fleet.
On 27 Sept, tanker BORCAY (IMO 9332810) was approached by a ship identifying as a French Navy warship. The two sailed in close proximity before the Navy vessel dropped from tracking and BORCAY veered toward the coast.
On 27 Sept, tanker BORCAY (IMO 9332810) was approached by a ship identifying as a French Navy warship. The two sailed in close proximity before the Navy vessel dropped from tracking and BORCAY veered toward the coast.
🚢 From watch floors to workflows: I’m kicking off a personal project to learn how AI can streamline maritime intelligence. Sharing the learning process here — to record, entertain, inspire, and maybe educate.
(And yes the image is AI generated)
(And yes the image is AI generated)
September 29, 2025 at 5:56 PM
🚢 From watch floors to workflows: I’m kicking off a personal project to learn how AI can streamline maritime intelligence. Sharing the learning process here — to record, entertain, inspire, and maybe educate.
(And yes the image is AI generated)
(And yes the image is AI generated)
Currently only 9 vessels globally on AIS claiming the Maldives flag. 2 are tankers - 1 operating in and around the Maldives, the other started transmitting the flag on 18 September but is really unknown flagged and sanctioned by the EU. Probably won’t be the last. Thanks @pa.nton.cx for your work!
September 25, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Currently only 9 vessels globally on AIS claiming the Maldives flag. 2 are tankers - 1 operating in and around the Maldives, the other started transmitting the flag on 18 September but is really unknown flagged and sanctioned by the EU. Probably won’t be the last. Thanks @pa.nton.cx for your work!
You mean something like this? en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAS_gro...
September 23, 2025 at 6:51 PM
You mean something like this? en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAS_gro...
The vessel then left SE Asia for work in Mauritius. But on 6 August, its AIS signal reappeared near Lumut, Malaysia, then vanished. Satellite imagery suggests it has actually been there for months. I'm trying to verify its location if you can help with either of these efforts, please get in touch.
September 22, 2025 at 3:42 AM
The vessel then left SE Asia for work in Mauritius. But on 6 August, its AIS signal reappeared near Lumut, Malaysia, then vanished. Satellite imagery suggests it has actually been there for months. I'm trying to verify its location if you can help with either of these efforts, please get in touch.
Grave-robbing dredger CHUANG HONG 68 is back in Southeast Asia having previously been detained for looting WW2 wrecks, including HMS REPULSE and PRINCE OF WALES. Last year, the Singapore IFC reported the vessel was using the identity of scrapped tanker BONVOY 8 while working over historic wrecks.
September 22, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Grave-robbing dredger CHUANG HONG 68 is back in Southeast Asia having previously been detained for looting WW2 wrecks, including HMS REPULSE and PRINCE OF WALES. Last year, the Singapore IFC reported the vessel was using the identity of scrapped tanker BONVOY 8 while working over historic wrecks.
Great article by @ejfoundation.org on the unregulated (as in the second U of IUU Fishing) squid fishing happening In the South Atlantic - this picture shows 3 months of activity in the area by 105 fishing vessels - half of them Chinese flagged app.starboard.nz/link/f89lzja...
September 19, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Great article by @ejfoundation.org on the unregulated (as in the second U of IUU Fishing) squid fishing happening In the South Atlantic - this picture shows 3 months of activity in the area by 105 fishing vessels - half of them Chinese flagged app.starboard.nz/link/f89lzja...
PEACE #IMO9249130 becomes, by my rough count, the 9th tanker to avoid part or all of the WETREP area since SIERRA abruptly changed course to take the long route on 05 July (and she wasn't the first). While most of the tankers are clearly shadow fleet vessels, some may not be - need to see why.
September 2, 2025 at 9:46 AM
PEACE #IMO9249130 becomes, by my rough count, the 9th tanker to avoid part or all of the WETREP area since SIERRA abruptly changed course to take the long route on 05 July (and she wasn't the first). While most of the tankers are clearly shadow fleet vessels, some may not be - need to see why.