Windward

The maritime domain is now a theater of deliberate opacity. The convergence of space-based EO and mission-driven AI represents a fundamental shift in what defense and intel orgs can know and act on. Join Windward’s Jonathan Goldman & @vantortech's Michael Bergen at #AIExpoDC for a fireside chat and first-look demo of our joint Agentic AI. Moderated by @JeanneMeserve (#NatSecTech). 📅 May 7 | 14:30 | Room 103B 🔗 okt.to/8g6BXJ

Two vessels that had been at anchor within the IRGC’s new control zone for the past seven days weighed anchor and departed the area at 06:00 UTC this morning. This movement highlights the extreme uncertainty currently defining the Strait of Hormuz. One of the vessels had already performed a U-turn after attempting a transit on April 22. Its departure today signals a strategic withdrawal as operators navigate the heightened risks surrounding the launch of Project Freedom and the IRGC's enforcement of its new maritime parameters.

Two Iran-flagged VLCCs, Huge (IMO 9357183) and Derya (IMO 9569700), transited the Lombok Strait on May 3 & 4, marking the first time Iranian tankers have used this route to enter Asia since the war began. This significant route deviation away from the Malacca Strait follows intensified scrutiny and the U.S. blockade that has redirected over 48 ships since April 13. Windward Multi-Source Intelligence confirms this shift in export tactics: - Huge appeared in the Lombok Strait on May 3, its first AIS signal since March 20, before going dark again in less than 24 hours while laden. - Derya followed on May 4, having last been seen at the Indian port of Sikka. - This move mirrors a pattern from March and April where tankers including Bertha (IMO 9292163), Xi (IMO 9174397), Paz (IMO 92333765), and Jaya (IMO 9410387) utilized the Munda Strait. The use of the Lombok entrance suggests that alternative, dark anchorage areas are being sought to transfer cargoes or sail directly to China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil. As the U.S. blockade continues to restrict traditional routes, these transits highlight Iran's increasing reliance on significant route deviations and subterfuge to bypass regional interdiction.

🚨 LIVE IN THE STRAIT: The U.S. just launched "Project Freedom" to escort neutral commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, but the sanctioned tanker NOOH GAS (IMO 9034690) is currently attempting transit. Windward Multi-Source Intelligence is tracking NOOH GAS in real-time as it transits eastbound today, May 4. In a high-stakes move to evade the concurrent U.S. blockade, the vessel is transiting south of Larak Island skipping the standard Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) lanes. This is classic evasive behavior from a sanctioned dark fleet tanker trying to dodge interdiction, not an innocent vessel seeking protection. Despite the deterrent presence of U.S. naval assets, our assessment for a Project Freedom escort is highly unlikely based on the vessel's profile: - The vessel is OFAC-designated under the Iran sanctions program (EO 13902). - It has conducted 13 dark activity events since June 2025 and utilized 18 name changes to mask its identity. - It is currently laden with 129.9K barrels of LPG/Butane while operating with dual-identity indicators. As the situation unfolds, the Strait is a two-track corridor: protected passage for neutral trade and a high-risk interdiction zone for the dark fleet.

From the 97% collapse in Hormuz traffic to nearly 1 million GPS jamming events, the maritime domain has reached a turning point. Our latest report delivers a data-driven risk analysis of the new reality and what's ahead. Get it here: okt.to/VIy7W2

The maritime domain is the global economy’s most consequential gray zone. AIS wasn't built for an adversarial environment. Commercial and government leaders can no longer rely on self-reported data to protect national security. Join Windward’s Jonathan Goldman at #GEOINT2026 for a fireside chat with experts from @SynMaxInt, @UrsaSpace, and @UnseenLabs. Event details here: okt.to/6wczeB

When the sanctioned VLCC Vigor (IMO 9262156) went AIS-dark near Fujairah on April 26, it didn’t disappear. Windward Multi-Source Intelligence tracked its trajectory, identifying a 4-day dark transit consistent with a covert arrival at Iran’s Kharg Island. Analysis of satellite imagery from April 30 shows the vessel at berth at the eastern T-jetty, part of a 2.5-million-barrel loading operation alongside four other dark tankers. In an era of dark deception, relying on AIS alone is no longer enough for effective sanctions compliance.

Three weeks into the ceasefire, Hormuz transits are rising, but deceptive activity is surging in parallel. Most significant is that no Iranian-laden VLCCs have cleared the Strait of Malacca since April 24, indicating the blockade is significantly impacting downstream flow. okt.to/dbVl7f

Fragmented data is a liability that leads to hesitation. By fusing EO, SAR, and RF GEOINT with patented Maritime AI™, Windward moves beyond siloed vessel tracking to provide a unified operational picture and agentic-based workflows that automate decisive action. This is the new architecture of maritime command. See the difference: okt.to/7KH6VL

Heading to AI+ Expo in D.C.? See the future of maritime intelligence in action. Visit Windward at Booth #1347 at #AIExpoDC for a live demo of how we’re moving beyond simple monitoring to decision dominance. We’ll show you how our Maritime AI™ transforms data into immediate, actionable outcomes. Event details here: okt.to/8xRCs6 @scsp_ai

Hormuz transits rose to 20 yesterday, a recent high. In parallel, compliant passage is being met with a significant surge in deceptive behavior, with dark activity hitting a peak of 170 events. From GPS jamming to IUU fishing, the risk map is widening. Full report: okt.to/817uWq

The U.S. blockade has more than halved Iran's oil exports. To evade enforcement, sanctioned tankers are spoofing their locations to appear in Iraqi waters while secretly loading oil in Iran. See how this established deceptive tactic is used to mask cargo origin: okt.to/A8mObz

Vessels are now manipulating AIS and GNSS data to broadcast false identities, creating an illusion of lawful navigation. Join Windward’s Claudia Hammond at #GEOINT2026 to see how fusing EO, SAR, and RF sensors exposes these deceptions and moves analysts to actionable detection. 📅 May 5 | 1:00 PM 📍 Innovation Corner Event details here: okt.to/gBwIUl

GPS jamming incidents are increasing outside the Strait of Hormuz, with a significant cluster identified near Khor Fakkan. The accompanying images show distinct interference patterns in these high-traffic waters, highlighting a surge in navigational risks at a vital commercial chokepoint.

EO dark vessel detections at Kharg Island from April 30, 2026, reveal a cluster of non-broadcasting tankers at Iran's primary terminal. Windward Multi-Source Intelligence confirms: - 2 tankers detected at berth at the Kharg Island T-jetty (1 VLCC and 1 oil products). - 3 dark tankers currently at drift in the Kharg Anchorage. The presence of these dark vessels at critical infrastructure highlights continued loitering and tactical positioning within Iranian territorial waters.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ron Kraitsman as our new Chief Financial Officer. Ron joins at a pivotal moment as Windward enters a phase of accelerated growth, driven by rising demand for advanced maritime intelligence amid heightened geopolitical tensions, expanding sanctions regimes, and increasing complexity in global trade. With extensive leadership experience scaling AI-powered companies through international expansion and strategic M&A, Ron will play a key role in supporting our continued global expansion across commercial and government markets. Please join us in welcoming Ron to the leadership team! Read the full announcement here: okt.to/AYUxyX

New @FoxNews coverage highlights how Windward identified a cluster of sanctioned tankers manipulating AIS signals to evade the U.S. blockade. By spoofing their location and broadcasting fake destinations, these vessels appear anchored in Iraqi waters while covertly loading oil at Iranian ports. See how this long-time deceptive shipping practice is being used to mask cargo origin: okt.to/xOZ0Db

Hormuz transits remain AIS-visible, but dark activity across the wider Gulf is rising. The Chabahar cluster has expanded to ~8M barrels of dark capacity, and 10 sanctioned tankers are spoofing AIS positions off Iraq to mask Iranian crude loading. Evasion is shifting away from the chokepoint. Full brief: okt.to/4pNEl5

A cluster of 10 Iran-trading, U.S.-sanctioned tankers is spoofing its location off Basrah, Iraq, to hide the loading of sanctioned Iranian oil. Windward Multi-Source Intelligence reveals these vessels are manipulating AIS signals to create digital alibis while a U.S. blockade constricts regional ports. Among those identified are: - Alicia, RHN, Star Forest, and Aqua (four VLCCs using various flags and fraudulent registries). - The handysize tanker Paola and Long Range One tanker Adena, both signaling “Iraqi owner” but linked to a sanctioned network. - Three medium-range tankers, including Aqualis, Kush, and Charminar. - The LPG carrier Royal H, which was newly sanctioned in February and is currently displaying erratic voyage trails to mimic loading at an Iraqi port. These vessels are part of a larger group of more than two dozen tankers currently confined West of Hormuz. As the blockade more than halves Iranian loadings, the use of tell-tale spoofing signs highlights the shifting tactics used by the dark fleet to move sanctioned cargo.

The Strait of Hormuz is shifting too fast for static news. With the U.S. blockade in effect, we’re providing a daily multi-source intelligence feed to consolidate the most critical maritime metrics: • Daily crossing data & vessel destinations. • Current fleet composition & flag registries. • Dark activity detection & intel summaries. • Real-time tracking of passage status & attacks. Get the facts: okt.to/vc9PQB