A new AIs-heading technique to track grain smuggling (www.bellingcat.com)

A new tracking technique developed by Bellingcat has successfully identified the path of the bulk carrier Grumant, suspected of smuggling Ukrainian grain to Libya. On February 15, 2026, satellite imagery confirmed Grumant's presence at the occupied Ukrainian Port of Feodosia, where it loaded grain before embarking on a journey to Benghazi, Libya, where it allegedly offloaded these shipments classified as "stolen" by the Ukrainian government. Utilizing AIS (Automatic Identification System) data combined with satellite imaging, the investigation highlighted the ship's heading data, which remained consistent despite unreliable positioning due to GNSS interference, suggesting Grumant was indeed at Feodosia during the loading period. This development is significant for the AI/ML community as it illustrates the innovative application of technology to monitor and analyze maritime activities linked to illicit trades. By leveraging heading data from AIS, which is less susceptible to GNSS spoofing, Bellingcat was able to corroborate the ship's activities in a challenging tracking environment. This technique could pave the way for enhanced monitoring of illegal shipping practices and provide a framework for similar investigations in the future, highlighting the dual role of AI in facilitating transparency and enforcing international maritime laws.