This year’s Maritime Security Award went to Bas van Berkel for his pioneering research on the detection of “dark vessels” in the Baltic Sea. Using innovative methods of combining AIS data and visual information, Van Berkel helped identify suspicious vessel activity, including illegal oil transfers.
The award was presented during the Maritime Awards Gala last night, 4 November at Studio 21 in Hilversum. Along with the Maritime Innovation Award, four other awards were presented, the Ship of the Year Award, the Maritime Security Award, the Maritime Achievement Award and the Maritime Talent Award.
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Detecting dark vessels
Van Berkel developed three methods to detect dark vessels and adapted them for the Baltic Sea region. First, this is a new method for real-time detection that uses publicly available webcams. Second, AIS pings are correlated with vessel detections derived from historical Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images to detect dark vessels. Finally, a real-time AIS anomaly detection algorithm is created to facilitate the investigation of suspicious activity.
In one month, the set of algorithms led to the successful identification of around 200 dark vessels and 46 potential cases of illegal oil transfers. His research highlights the Netherlands’ role in maritime innovation by using artificial intelligence (AI) for large-scale and continuous monitoring of dark vessels in territorial waters.
This smart application of AI strengthens enforcement and maritime safety in challenging times. Van Berkel’s research is unique and deserves recognition for presenting three methods that directly contribute to enforcement at sea using AI and publicly available resources.
The project was part of Van Berkel’s study at TU Delft. The dark vessel problem is highly relevant; since the war in Ukraine, the “shadow fleet” for illegal oil exports has grown by 111 per cent, according to research institute Windward. In the process, there has been an increase in maritime espionage, such as by the Russian “research vessel” Yevgeny Gorigledzhan. However, dark vessels are also involved in drug smuggling and illegal fishing.
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Other nominees
Along with Van Berkel, two others were nominated for the Maritime Security Award. They are:
- Anna Verhoek – Drone neutralisation with radar technology.
- Erik Dekker – Intercepting the ‘unstoppable’ Kinzhal missile – An assessment of flight & intercept challenges for this manoeuvrable, hypersonic missile threat.
The Maritime Security Award is characterised by sectoral recognition of an innovation in the field of security within maritime components of the Dutch government. The central question is which research has most potentially led to new insights, concepts or innovations that contribute to improving security at and from sea.
Picture (top): Bas van Berkel (photo by Bas van Berkel/Maritime Awards Foundation).
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