Pole Star Defense Enhances Maritime Tracking Technology
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — At the forefront of maritime surveillance, Pole Star Defense is leveraging cutting-edge technology to monitor large cargo ships and oil tankers worldwide. Managing Director Alex Field revealed that the company plays a crucial role in supporting the U.S. Coast Guard and tracking vessels that attempt to evade detection, particularly in light of increasing illicit ship-to-ship transfers on the high seas.
Innovative Tracking Solutions for Global Shipping
Based in the Maritime Defense and Technology Hub in St. Petersburg, Pole Star Defense specializes in tracking commercial vessels across the globe. Following the International Maritime Organization’s regulations established after the 9/11 attacks, commercial ships are required to share their location data with their flag states and other nations. Field explained that the company acts as an application service provider, receiving vessel positions and data via satellite. This information is then relayed to national data centers associated with the ships’ flag registries.
However, not all vessels comply with these regulations. Field noted that some ships, including those under sanctions, go to great lengths to disguise their locations. A significant concern for Pole Star Defense is the rise in illicit ship-to-ship transfers occurring in international waters. “What you ultimately see is one vessel coming from a sanctioned port, doing a ship-to-ship transfer in the middle of the ocean to another one,” he stated. This blending of oil products complicates the tracking of sanctioned materials, raising questions about the origins of the oil being transported.
Senior Solutions Engineer Richard Aguilar highlighted a recent investigation into an oil tanker that raised suspicions after conducting a transfer with two other vessels off the coast of Guyana. “When you start seeing more than two, then it becomes, ‘Why?’” he remarked, emphasizing the need for vigilance in areas known for sanctioned activities.
Supporting U.S. Coast Guard Operations
Pole Star Defense has been instrumental in supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s efforts to monitor sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, often referred to as the “dark fleet.” Field explained that the company aids in gathering intelligence on these vessels, many of which attempt to go dark to avoid detection. “We’re helping gather information around what’s going on,” he said, noting that several vessels have been seized by the Coast Guard as part of these operations.
With its U.S. headquarters strategically located in St. Petersburg, Pole Star Defense has expanded significantly since its inception, growing from three employees to nearly 50 in a 24/7 operation. The company not only serves the U.S. Coast Guard but also supports 65 other countries in maritime monitoring. Field expressed confidence in the company’s future in St. Petersburg, citing the area’s vibrant maritime ecosystem and proximity to key partners like the Coast Guard.
Pole Star Defense, a subsidiary of Pole Star Global based in the U.K., boasts nearly two decades of experience in the maritime industry. As one of the first companies to establish itself in the Maritime Defense and Technology Hub, it continues to play a vital role in enhancing maritime security and tracking capabilities.
