Skytek Unveils Advanced Ship-to-Ship (STS) Transfer Module

Dublin, Ireland – August 17, 2025

Skytek has launched a new Ship-To-Ship (STS) Transfer Module, giving insurers state-of-the-art tools to detect illicit oil transfers and manage sanctions risk.

One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is AIS signal manipulation and jamming, which can cause vessels to appear in sanctioned areas when they are not. This false positional data leaves insurers and their clients exposed to accusations of sanctions breaches.

Skytek’s new module provides independent validation of vessel location using Earth Observation and advanced analytics. By fusing satellite data with optical imagery, Skytek delivers clear and verifiable evidence that supports insurers in defending against false accusations and protects legitimate clients.

Monitoring ship-to-ship oil transfers remains one of the most complex risks in the maritime insurance industry. Cargoes often pass from sanctioned to non-sanctioned vessels in attempts to conceal origin, making it difficult to distinguish legitimate from illicit activity. Skytek’s STS Transfer Module resolves this challenge by providing insurers with a focused view of bad actors who meet with sanctioned vessels without penalising compliant trade.

“The insurance sector needs clarity in an increasingly opaque shipping environment,” said Capt Gabriel Zevri, Skytek spokesperson. “Our new STS Transfer Module provides that clarity by validating location data, tracking high-risk cargo movements, and isolating bad actors so insurers can make confident and defensible decisions.”