How Tech Protects the World's Most Dangerous Shipping Lanes
The Golden Age of Piracy, when the likes of Blackbeard and Captain William Kidd ruled the waves, is more than three centuries in the past, but make no mistake, a life on the high seas is still a perilous one.
In 2025, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has reported a huge spike in armed robberies by pirates, with figures for the first part of the year rising by almost 50% compared to 2024.
Historically, certain shipping lanes have been more dangerous than others. This year, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore have been targeted time and time again.
“From time immemorial, maritime routes have bound the world together,” says Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
“But maritime spaces are increasingly under strain and without maritime security, there can be no global security.”
Without the intervention of technology, though, things would be far worse.
How technology can protect shipping lanes
When thinking about maritime security, MariTrace is one of the first companies that comes to mind. MariTrace is a global maritime intelligence firm which, as its name suggests, specialises in cutting edge tracking technology for ships.
Strickland Services Ltd., a Nigerian-owned offshore logistics and maritime security company, has is the latest shipping company to benefit from MariTrace's technology, fitting the firm's encrypted tracking system to 10 of its support vessels that are operating in particularly unstable regions.
Having more than 25 years of experience operating in some of the globe's most hazardous waters, including the Gulf of Guinea, Strickland delivers security, escort and subsea support for major energy clients such as Shell, ExxonMobil and Total.
The requirement for continuous positional data and strong situational awareness has never been more critical, particularly given rising threats of piracy and geopolitical instability in crucial offshore areas.
"This partnership with MariTrace is about leadership, accountability and delivering the highest levels of safety for our clients," says Temidayo Amure, ICT Coordinator at Strickland Services.
"Mercury gives us real-time, secure tracking of our operations demand, especially in regions where AIS coverage is unreliable or non-existent."
Mercury: MariTrace's encrypted vessel tracking system
Mercury, unveiled by MariTrace in 2024, is a discrete plug-and-play tracking device that provides continuous location reporting even in AIS dead zones.
The system automatically identifies connectivity loss, stores data locally and synchronises with the MariTrace interface once connection is re-established.
It ensures uninterrupted insight into vessel movements, substantially enhancing maritime domain awareness and operational oversight.
"Strickland Services operate in some of the world's highest-risk territories, where traditional tracking systems are simply not reliable enough," says Thomas Owen, CEO of MariTrace. "Mercury provides the very best peace of mind—ensuring operational continuity, responsive coordination and enhanced crew safety."
Mercury's technology is specifically designed to address the requirements of contemporary maritime logistics and security operations.
With real-time updates at one-minute intervals and seamless integration with onboard GPS and AIS via NMEA 0183/2000, the system provides highly detailed data to MariTrace's secure platform or API, accessible only to authorised personnel.
Security when AI fails
A primary advantage of Mercury is its capability to operate where AIS coverage is lacking, such as in piracy-prone areas or remote offshore locations.
By capturing and storing AIS data onboard and syncing it to the MariTrace interface, operators obtain an accurate, real-time view of vessel location and nearby traffic, even in blackout areas.
For additional flexibility, Mercury enables position sharing between users, allowing third-party operators or clients already utilising MariTrace to view real-time data during joint operations. The transparency provides another layer of collaborative security in sensitive operations.
A strategy for security
Beyond live tracking, Mercury provides Strickland access to a comprehensive suite of maritime intelligence tools on the MariTrace platform. These include route risk analysis, geofencing alerts, real-time incident reporting and historical data archives dating back to 2015.
Combined, these capabilities enable faster responses, regulatory compliance and better-informed strategic decisions.
The implementation reinforces Strickland's reputation as a reliable maritime security partner for oil and gas majors operating in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
A new standard in maritime security
As global shipping routes encounter evolving threats and regulatory pressures, telecommunications and logistics operators are increasingly investing in data-rich, intelligence-driven technologies.
For telcos with maritime assets, the capability to protect subsea cable projects, offshore infrastructure and vessels is becoming a fundamental operational requirement.
With the implementation of Mercury across its fleet, Strickland shows a clear commitment to technological leadership in fleet security.
"Combining Strickland's field expertise with MariTrace's intelligence capabilities sets a new benchmark for secure offshore logistics," says Thomas. "It's a model of how the telecommunications and energy sectors can enhance resilience through innovation."
