The Silent War Beneath the Waves: A Growing Crisis in Maritime Security
Robert Nogacki
Father & Husband | Founder & Managing Partner at Skarbiec Law Firm Group | Attorney for Entrepreneurs | Award-Winning Legal Advisor
》TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Coast Guard Administration intercepted a Cameroon-registered container ship with a Chinese name after it was suspected of damaging an undersea cable north of Taiwan on Friday.
Chunghwa Telecom identified the Shunxin39 after it passed by an international communication cable northeast of New Taipei’s Yeliu, per CNA. The telecom company asked the Coast Guard to intervene.《
This isn't an isolated incident – it's part of an alarming trend that's sending shockwaves through the international maritime community.
Each incident alone might raise eyebrows. Together, they paint a disturbing picture of coordinated infrastructure warfare.
The Shadow Fleet: Pirates of the Modern Age
Enter Russia's notorious "shadow fleet" – a term that could be straight out of a Tom Clancy novel, except it's very real. These vessels operate in a regulatory twilight zone, their true ownership obscured through layers of shell companies and flags of convenience.
Think about the ingenuity of the scheme: A ship registered in Country A, owned by a shell company in Country B, operated by crew from Country C, following orders from Country D. When something goes wrong, the trail of responsibility vanishes like morning mist over the Baltic.
Maritime Security Revolution: No More Games at Sea
First, let's shatter the ownership shadows. Every vessel crossing our waters must shine under the spotlight of transparency. No more hiding behind shell companies nested like Russian dolls. We need:
- Real names
- Real money trails
- Real responsibility
Every ship's ownership structure laid bare, every dollar funding it traced to its source. "But it's complicated," they'll cry. Exactly. That's the point.
To achieve this we need global, public:
- register of beneficial owners of vessels;
- AML / KYC for vessel registration, covering both SOURCE OF WEALTH for beneficial owner and SOURCE OF FUNDS for vessel purchase.
Your Ship, Your Responsibility
Captains, listen up: The days of "oops, did we do that?" are over. When cables snap under your keel, you're not just filing an incident report – you're facing personal criminal liability.
领英推荐
Hard time in real prisons, not corporate fines buried in quarterly reports.
Insurance: The New Maritime Passport
Want to sail over our undersea infrastructure? Show us the money first. We're talking serious insurance coverage – the kind that makes shareholders nervous and insurance companies do deep background checks before signing on. No coverage? No passage. Simple as that.
The Bottom Line
We're done playing maritime jurisdiction hopscotch. This isn't about traditional navigation rights anymore – it's about protecting the digital arteries of our global economy. Cross our cables without proper paperwork? Your ship becomes our ship.
The seas may be free, but freedom comes with responsibility.
The message is crystal clear: Play by the new rules or don't play at all. The maritime wild west is closing shop.
Some earlier writings in this domain
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