Trade Data vs. Maritime Intelligence: What Customs Agencies Actually Need

Trade data provides valuable information about commercial shipments, such as cargo volumes, shipping routes, and trading partners. Customs agencies rely on this data to understand the flow of goods. However, trade data falls short when it comes to customs enforcement. Customs agencies require a different set of questions to be answered.

They need to identify which of the numerous containers arriving at a port may contain undeclared goods, detect vessels that have taken a detour via sanctioned ports, spot fraudulent manifests, and pinpoint operators with a history of concealment. Trade data does not address these enforcement challenges. Another aspect is vessel tracking.

Automatic Identification System (AIS) provides information about a vessel's movement, but it fails to detect dark ships that do not transmit AIS data. Moreover, manipulated AIS data can be misleading. Satellite imagery and radio-frequency (RF) detection are more effective in detecting vessels, even when they are not transmitting.

Behavioral analytics using years of vessel activity can identify deviations from normal patterns. Ownership resolution helps reveal the true owners behind shell companies, further aiding in enforcement efforts. When it comes to container targeting, trade data may show a container declared as a legitimate export, but intelligence data can reveal more.

Intelligence data can provide insights into the vessel's history, ownership, and behavior patterns, which may indicate suspicious activities. This difference between trade data and intelligence data is crucial for customs officers who have to allocate limited inspection resources. While declarations arrive shortly before arrival, vessel behavior can be analyzed throughout the entire voyage, allowing for a more comprehensive risk assessment.

Intelligence data can fill the gaps left by trade data and AIS, offering a more complete picture of a vessel's activities. By combining all-source maritime intelligence with trade data, customs agencies can enhance their enforcement capabilities and effectively combat smuggling and other illicit activities.