Enhancing maritime security: Unseenlabs’ RF data collection campaign in the Southern Red Sea

 

From Pulse by UnseenLabs

 
Between November 20 and December 29, 2023, Unseenlabs conducted a focused ten-day RF data collection—with an average of one revisit per day—covering an area of 300,000 km² in the Southern Red Sea.
During this time, we successfully detected and tracked a number of dark vessels[1] in the area.
Amidst the turmoil in the Red Sea, largely due to Houthi attacks, it appears that some ships are exploiting the chaotic situation by turning off their AIS transponders, effectively rendering themselves invisible.
Here is where Unseenlabs enters the picture…
In this specific use case, we demonstrate how Unseenlabs' advanced space-based RF detection technology not only facilitated the detection but also enabled the tracking of these dark vessels in the Southern Red Sea.
This operation underscores the significant value of our innovative space technology for governments, offering them a comprehensive perspective on maritime traffic.
Our efforts once again highlight the pivotal role of Unseenlabs in enhancing maritime surveillance and security.

The context

The region our data collection campaign targeted is the Red Sea.
It is an inlet of the Indian Ocean nestled between Africa and Asia, and a region of first-level strategic and economic significance.
It connects the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden in the south with the Sinai Peninsula and the Gulf of Suez in the north.
This area is pivotal due to its high concentration of commercial maritime traffic, playing a crucial role in the global economy, especially via the Suez Canal.
This canal "[...] handles about 12% of global trade and is accessed by vessels travelling from Asia via the 30km wide Bab-el-Mandeb strait"[2].
With over 6 million barrels of crude oil passing daily through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, its security and surveillance are of paramount importance.
Recently, maritime trade in the Red Sea has been significantly impacted by the activities of the Yemen Houthi movement.
Disruptions in the region have affected vessel safety and maritime operations, necessitating enhanced measures for security.
Consequently, a new maritime military force has been established to strengthen the protection of these vital waterways, ensuring the continuity of trade and navigation.
An increase of unrevealed activities
Upon examining the maritime traffic data from November to December, it's observed that the maritime environment in the Southern Red Sea has grown significantly more hazardous: “Major shipping companies have stopped using the Red Sea - through which almost 15% of global seaborne trade usually passes - and are using a much longer route around southern Africa instead.”[3]

This decline is primarily attributed to the heightened risk for vessels navigating these waters due to the presence of the Houthis in the region.
However, Unseenlabs' satellite observations reveal another trend: an uptick in RF-only emitter detections.
On November 29, a significant presence of ships was noted in the Southern Red Sea, with our satellites detecting 212 RF emitters.
Of these, 208 correlated with AIS data, leaving only 4 as RF-only ships, or dark vessels.

 

Fast forward to December 26, and the picture changes markedly.
The region saw a decrease in overall maritime activity, largely due to the Houthi attacks on vessels.
Our satellites registered 187 emitters through RF signals, a decline of nearly 12% from the November 29 figures.Out of these, 159 were correlated with AIS, while 28 were identified as RF-only emitters.
This represents a staggering 600% increase in dark vessel activity between the two RF data collections.The implication is clear: more vessels are opting to navigate without their AIS transponders, effectively becoming invisible to standard monitoring systems.
These dark vessels are likely ships that have deactivated their AIS transponders to remain undetected and avoid encounters with the Houthis.
There's a possibility that among the vessels, some could be military ships; however, this cannot be confirmed as the AIS system is not mandatory for such vessels.


 

In this challenging environment, Unseenlabs' space-based RF detection technology emerges as a mission-critical asset in maritime surveillance.
Its ability to detect and track RF-only emitters offers a significant advantage in conflict zones where defense maritime forces are primarily engaged in peacekeeping.
We provide a more exhaustive view about the real maritime traffic.
Our technology not only enhances the capabilities of maritime authorities in monitoring vessel movements but also serves as a vital support system in monitoring and countering potential illegal activities in such high-tension areas.

Conclusion

Unseenlabs' RF data collection campaign in the Southern Red Sea from November 20 to December 29, 2023, has effectively showcased the capabilities of advanced space-based RF detection technology in maritime surveillance.
Our unique technology has been instrumental in offering a comprehensive view of maritime activities, especially in monitoring and tracking dark ships—vessel not broadcasting AIS signals.
Throughout the campaign, dark vessels account for 9% of the total maritime traffic observed, highlighting the effectiveness of our methodology.
Our approach involved detecting and geolocating RF signals from electromagnetic patterns and correlating them with AIS data, leading to the interception of 1,650 emitters, including 145 RF-only emitters.
These findings indicate a substantial presence of vessels operating covertly, likely in response to the heightened regional conflict and instability.
The significant increase in dark vessel activity, with many ships choosing to navigate without AIS transponders, underscores the critical role of Unseenlabs' technology in enhancing maritime security.
Our ability to track these vessels, demonstrated through 20 detailed data collections, not only aids in maintaining maritime safety but also assists authorities in identifying potential illicit activities.
The Unseenlabs campaign has demonstrated the vital importance of innovative RF detection technology in providing detailed insights into maritime traffic and security, especially in regions experiencing conflict and heightened maritime risks.

Links :

• Who are the Houthis and why are they attacking Red Sea ships?, BBC News
• Who are Yemen’s Houthis?, Wilson Center
• Red Sea, Britannica
• What is the Red Sea crisis, and what does it mean for global trade?, The Guardian
• Which ship can we track at sea?, Sinay
• RFI : French satellite constellation tracks criminal 'dark ships' at sea
• GeoGarage blog : Unseenlabs reveals ships that vanished from conventional geolocation systems

[1] Dark vessels, or dark ships, are ships that are not equipped with AIS system or manipulate it to evade traditional surveillance systems to become invisible.
[2] What is the Red Sea crisis, and what does it mean for global trade?, The Guardian
[3] Who are the Houthis and why are they attacking Red Sea ships? - BBC NEWS