Dark shipping supports a consortium of illegal and inhumane activities, and human trafficking sits at the top of the list. Human trafficking networks use dark shipping to facilitate migrant smuggling, forced or low-wage labor, sexual labor, terrorist activities, and much more.

 

While the Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security have both pledged to fight human trafficking, the problem is expansive - requiring in-depth maritime domain awareness and a multifaceted approach to mitigate destructive outcomes.