A new paper from the United Nations Security Council¡¯s Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), titled CTED Trends Alert: The Weak Link in Border Security ¨C Maritime Borders and Use of Passenger Data, sheds light on emerging vulnerabilities in global border security. The study emphasizes that maritime border management has not received the same attention or investment as the aviation sector, and warns this ¡°exploitable weak link¡± may be increasingly leveraged by terrorist groups.
As aviation border security has improved¡ªparticularly with the adoption of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems¡ªterrorists have been exploring alternative travel methods. Maritime routes are increasingly used for ¡°broken travel¡± journeys, exploiting counterfeit documents, encrypted communications, and poorly governed zones to avoid detection. CTED reports that foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) have traveled undetected via cruise ships and ferry routes, notably across the Mediterranean.
While over 100 Member States have implemented API and 67 have implemented PNR systems for air travel, CTED notes that no country has implemented the same level of screening methods for maritime transport. The maritime domain faces unique obstacles:
- Passenger ships carry thousands during short passages, often under pressurized seasonal conditions.
- Maritime carriers use diverse booking systems, making data collection inconsistent.
- Many ports lack the capacity to verify travel documents and monitor vessel movements.
To address these gaps, a recent proposal to amend the Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) Convention includes new reporting requirements for Booking and Reservation Information (BRI) ¡ª a maritime analogue to PNR. These efforts could lead to a new regulatory framework by 2029, following approval from the International Maritime Organization¡¯s Facilitation Committee.
CTED emphasizes that a ¡°whole-of-government approach¡± and human rights-compliant border security measures are essential to safeguard maritime borders. Strengthening passenger screening, enhancing technical capacity, and harmonizing data standards are critical steps to prevent terrorist travel and protect maritime infrastructure.
This paper underscores a pressing need for the international community to ¡°urgently address¡± weaknesses in maritime border management, positioning passenger data integration as a cornerstone of effective counter-terrorism policy.
You can access the full report here.