Trade data includes bills of lading, customs declarations, and transport records designed to describe trade and succeed in this regard. However, the main questions of customs authorities are posed differently.
Customs Authorities' Questions
Which of the 15,000 containers arriving at this port today contains prohibited goods? Which ship has passed through a sanctioned port before arriving here? These are the types of questions that trade data alone cannot answer.
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The Necessity of Maritime Intelligence
Maritime intelligence allows authorities to analyze information independently of what the ship or operator reports. By using EO and SAR satellite imagery, authorities can identify ships even if those ships do not transmit AIS information.
Behavioral analysis based on years of ship activity identifies deviations that no declaration can reveal. For example, a route that does not match the declared journey or a stopping pattern in a specific corridor that indicates transfer activities.
Container Targeting Models
Container targeting models are the best example to illustrate this gap. Trade data can tell us that a container is declared as machine parts from a reputable exporter. But is this information alone sufficient?
When UK authorities seized about $100 million worth of cocaine from a container ship in the Port of London, public information provided no details about the container. However, with three details, a search could identify three ships that matched the pattern during that timeframe.
Conclusion
Trade data only describe intent and provide limited information to customs authorities. While maritime intelligence can identify the history and behavioral patterns of ships. This information helps authorities effectively utilize their inspection capacity and identify risks before a ship arrives at the port.
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