Securing Energy Transportation at Sea: Sanctions, Maritime Risk, and Strategic Compliance

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Published: Dec 31, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/hapscpbs.45358
Keywords:
Sanctions Compliance Shipping industry Terrorism Energy transportation
Chrysanthi Raftopoulou
MSc in Energy: Strategy, Law & Economics, Department of International and European Studies, University of Piraeus, Greece.
Abstract

With over 80 percent of global trade conducted by sea, the maritime domain represents both an essential economic artery and a persistent vulnerability to terrorism and sanctions evasion. The study analyzes how layered evasion tactics, such as AIS manipulation, unclear ownership structures, document falsification, and irregular routing, undermine fragmented compliance frameworks. It argues that effective maritime security requires a holistic, risk-based approach integrating vessel identification, ownership analysis, cargo and route assessment, supply-chain due diligence, and continuous monitoring. The paper concludes that while sanctions enhance accountability, they also incentivize adaptive evasion networks. Robust, intelligence-led compliance frameworks are therefore essential to mitigating legal, financial, and strategic risks while safeguarding the integrity of global energy and maritime trade systems.

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