Windward

Windward is a maritime intelligence company that provides data and analytics on global shipping activities. They are newsworthy due to their tracking and analysis of ship movements, particularly concerning sanctions evasion, illicit activities, and disruptions to maritime traffic. Recent articles highlight Windward's data showing the collapse and subsequent increase in ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, correlating with geopolitical tensions involving Iran. They also detected 'dark fleet' tactics used by tankers allegedly delivering oil to Cuba and Venezuela, including signal manipulation, flag changes, and ship-to-ship transfers to evade sanctions and detection. Windward's data is crucial for understanding the impact of geopolitical events on global trade, energy markets, and the effectiveness of international sanctions, making them a significant source for monitoring maritime security and economic activity.