Visualizing the Impact of US Sanctions on Venezuela's Shipping Networks

Visualizing the Impact of US Sanctions on Venezuela's Shipping Networks

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. About C4ADS
3. US Sanctions on Venezuela
4. Methodology
5. Top Line Findings
6. Case Study: The Princess Mary
7. Tracking Vessels in Nearby Countries
8. The Role of Satellite Imagery
9. Emerging Sensors and Data Sources
10. Conclusion

US Sanctions on Venezuela: Visualizing the Impact Using AIS and Network Analysis

The United States' sanctions on Venezuela have had significant implications for the country's shipping industry. In this article, we will explore how AIS data and network analysis can be used to Visualize the impact of these sanctions on Venezuelan shipping networks.

Introduction

Before we delve into the details, let's provide a brief introduction to the organization behind this analysis - C4ADS. As a non-profit and non-partisan organization, C4ADS uses evidence-based analysis and cutting-edge technology to address transnational security challenges. Their work involves exposing and disrupting illicit networks through the analysis of disparate data sources. In the case of Venezuela, C4ADS focuses on corruption networks and the impact of US sanctions on the country's shipping industry.

About C4ADS

C4ADS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that leverages publicly available information and emerging technologies to tackle current transnational security challenges. Their primary goal is to disrupt illicit networks through evidence-based analysis. Their work involves collaborating with government agencies, civil society, and the private industry to combat various illegal activities such as wildlife trafficking, grand-Scale corruption, and weapons proliferation.

US Sanctions on Venezuela

The US Treasury Department sanctioned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the state-owned oil company, on January 28, 2019. This sanction was a result of Executive Order 13514, which targeted sectors allegedly involved in corruption and contributing to the situation in Venezuela. The sanctions had significant ramifications for the Venezuelan oil sector and its shipping networks.

Methodology

To analyze the effects of sanctions on shipping in Venezuela, C4ADS employed a multi-step methodology. Firstly, they acquired AIS data from Windward, a maritime platform partner. This data provided information on tanker vessels operating in Venezuelan waters between January 2018 and January 2020. They also retrieved corporate ownership information from IHS Markit, which allowed them to identify over a thousand entities linked to the vessels of interest.

With these datasets, C4ADS utilized Palantir Gotham and Palantir Foundry, powerful network analysis tools, to analyze the shipping networks and trends. They examined the decrease in port calls by tanker vessels in Venezuelan waters, identified the most frequently visited ports, and discovered common deceptive shipping practices employed to evade sanctions.

Top Line Findings

C4ADS found that there was a 46% decrease in the number of port calls by tanker vessels in Venezuelan waters following the imposition of sanctions. This decline can be attributed to the increased designations of vessels facilitating oil trade from Venezuela. Moreover, they observed that the Princess Mary, a Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker, exhibited Patterns of dark activity and AIS transmission manipulation, aligning with known deceptive practices.

Case Study: The Princess Mary

The Princess Mary presents an illustrative case to showcase how C4ADS's methodology can shed light on specific vessel activities. This crude oil tanker reportedly shipped oil under charter by Rosneft, a Russian energy firm, from the Jose oil terminal in Venezuela. By analyzing its corporate ownership network and AIS data, C4ADS uncovered patterns of dark activity and observed draft changes indicating an increase in Cargo throughout its voyages.

Tracking Vessels in Nearby Countries

While the focus lies on Venezuela, C4ADS also analyzes the activities of vessels in nearby waters. This allows for a broader understanding of regional trade patterns and potential circumvention of sanctions. The analysis encompasses countries such as Cuba and nearby islands like Trinidad and Tobago, where vessels engaged in deceptive practices can be identified by their patterns of AIS activity.

The Role of Satellite Imagery

C4ADS acknowledges the valuable insights that satellite imagery can provide in conjunction with AIS data. However, access to such imagery is often limited, especially for offshore platforms near Venezuela's oil terminals. Greater access to satellite imagery would enhance the analysis and provide a more comprehensive understanding of vessel activities in the region.

Emerging Sensors and Data Sources

Looking to the future, C4ADS expresses interest in utilizing and exploring emerging sensors and data sources. Continuous developments in this field could provide new opportunities to analyze and track vessel activities more effectively and accurately. Access to satellite imagery and official port call data from the Venezuelan government would serve as valuable resources for bolstering their analysis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, C4ADS's use of AIS data and network analysis has allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the impact of US sanctions on Venezuela's shipping networks. By examining vessel activities, port calls, and deceptive shipping practices, they have provided valuable insights into how these sanctions have affected the country's shipping industry. With further advancements in satellite imagery and data sources, the analysis can be expanded to gain a more in-depth understanding of the dynamics at play.

Highlights

• C4ADS analyzes the impact of US sanctions on Venezuela's shipping networks using AIS data and network analysis.
• The Princess Mary, a crude oil tanker, showcases how vessels engage in deceptive practices to bypass sanctions.
• There has been a significant decrease in port calls by tanker vessels in Venezuelan waters following the imposition of sanctions.
• Satellite imagery and official port call data from the Venezuelan government would enhance the analysis.
• C4ADS aims to disrupt illicit networks and combat various illegal activities through evidence-based analysis.

FAQs

Q: What is C4ADS's main focus in Venezuela? A: C4ADS primarily focuses on corruption networks in Venezuela and analyzes the impact of US sanctions on the country's shipping industry.

Q: How does C4ADS collaborate with other organizations and industries? A: C4ADS collaborates with government agencies, civil society, and the private industry to share their analysis and bridge the information gap in combating illicit activities.

Q: Are nearby countries compliant with the US sanctions on Venezuela? A: Nearby countries, such as Cuba, have been targeted by US sanctions due to their trade agreements with Venezuela. Compliance varies among countries, and C4ADS continues to track vessel activities in these regions.

Q: How does satellite imagery contribute to C4ADS's analysis? A: Satellite imagery provides valuable insights when combined with AIS data, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of vessel activities. However, access to such imagery is often limited.

Q: What future developments is C4ADS looking forward to? A: C4ADS is interested in utilizing emerging sensors and data sources to enhance their analysis. This includes obtaining greater access to satellite imagery and official port call data from the Venezuelan government.