Michelle Wiese Bockmann

Michelle Wiese Bockmann is a senior maritime intelligence analyst who provides expertise on global shipping trends, particularly concerning sanctions, dark fleets, and geopolitical risks. She is newsworthy due to her insights into the increasing activity of a large "dark fleet" of oil tankers, estimated at 1,000 vessels, which are allegedly being used to circumvent sanctions, particularly those related to Russian oil. Bockmann has warned about the potential for environmental disasters, estimating a risk of $1 billion oil spills, and geopolitical instability arising from the operation of this aging and often unregulated fleet. Her analysis has gained prominence as the US and Ukraine have begun actively targeting these vessels through seizures and drone strikes, marking a shift in strategy towards enforcing sanctions and disrupting illicit oil trade. Her expertise is relevant in understanding the complex interplay of geopolitics, energy markets, and maritime security.