# Shadow Fleets: A Growing Challenge in Global
## 3 Dark Fleets and Gray Fleets: A Comparative Analysis
### Dark Fleet: Characteristics and Operation  
The analysis of specific vessels reveals sophisticated patterns of regulatory evasion and detection avoidance. North Korea has pioneered many of the tactics now employed by larger shadow fleets. A primary feature of dark fleet operations is the systematic manipulation of Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmitters. This practice, which contravenes international maritime safety protocols, involves disabling AISs to evade tracking and monitoring efforts [1]. Complementing this tactic is the employment of various deceptive practices, including the falsification of documentation and cargo manifests, further obfuscating the true nature of fleets' activities.  
Another key characteristic of the dark fleet is the practice of 'flag hopping'. This involves frequent changes in vessel registration to jurisdictions with lenient regulatory frameworks, commonly referred to as 'flags of convenience' [7,8]. Such practices enable these vessels to exploit regulatory loopholes and operate with minimal oversight. Furthermore, dark fleets are notable for their opaque ownership structures. The utilization of complex corporate arrangements serves to obscure their true ownership, significantly impeding accountability and complicating efforts to enforce regulations or impose sanctions [9].  
North Korea has pioneered many of the tactics now employed by larger shadow fleets. For example, the M/V Wise Honest (IMO: 8905490), seized by U.S. authorities in 2019, exemplifies sophisticated sanctions evasion. This 17,061-ton bulk carrier systematically disabled its AIS transmitter while conducting ship-to-ship transfers of coal and receiving refined petroleum products. The vessel used a complex network of front companies, including the Korea Songi Shipping Company, to obscure its ownership and operations. This case highlighted how dark fleets combine multiple evasion tactics: AIS manipulation, fraudulent documentation, and complex ownership structures [10,11].  
Further empirical evidence of dark fleet operations can be found in the documented activities of vessels such as the ANITA (IMO: 9203253), registered under the Sudanese flag. This vessel exemplifies the comprehensive nature of dark fleet evasion tactics through its systematic engagement in unauthorized ship-to-ship transfers with Iranian vessels, coupled with frequent identity obscuration through multiple name and flag changes. The vessel's complete departure from regulatory compliance and operation without verified insurance coverage illustrates the defining characteristics of dark fleet operations.  
The case of the OLIVE (IMO: 9318034), operating under the Gabonese flag, further reinforces this pattern of deliberate regulatory evasion. Despite the vessel's age exceed ing 20 years, it continues to operate without recognized Protection and Indeminity (P&I) insurance, displaying consistent patterns of AIS manipulation while maintaining routes commonly associated with sanctions evasion. Such cases demonstrate how dark fleet operators combine multiple evasion strategies to operate entirely outside established ocean governance frameworks.