News & insights

Organised criminal groups continue to target merchant ships trading from Brazil to Europe, exploiting vessels, crew, port infrastructure and commercial pressure to move cocaine across the Atlantic. This briefing, prepared by MAST for shipowners and the Dutch shipowners association, looks at what happens when an owner receives credible information that one of its ships may have been used.

The case is based on a real operation, with all names removed. It follows the owner's response from the first whistleblower report to the moment the chance to board the vessel at anchorage was lost, and what that meant for the company.

The briefing covers:

• why Brazil-Europe routes need particular attention
• the problems the response ran into, from local port knowledge to control of information
• the criminal, regulatory, insurance and reputational consequences for owners
• recommended controls before arrival, on board and after departure from Brazil
• what to do when whistleblower information is received
• discussion questions for briefing sessions
• Two annexes cover organised criminal networks and smuggling methods, and the legal complexity of reporting suspected maritime drug trafficking.

This briefing is not legal advice.

Download document

Brazil-Europe Maritime Narcotics Risk