Checking the Vessel and the Company Before Signing a Contract: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why This Article Is Needed

Every seafarer has faced a situation where a quick decision about a new contract is needed. How to ensure the job offer is real, the vessel exists and is in good condition, and the company has no payroll problems? In this article we will consider practical OSINT methods for verification that will help you:

• Confirm the existence and technical condition of the vessel
• Learn its real location and voyage route for a potential place of work
• Check the reputation of the ship owner and history of crew-related issues
• Detect fraudulent offers before you waste time and money

The basic methods for recognizing fraudulent offers we covered in the previous article. Today we will discuss concrete tools that should become part of mandatory preparation before signing any maritime contract — even if the offer comes from a well-known company.

OSINT Tools for Vessel Verification

Open sources of data provide extensive information about a vessel, which helps identify inconsistencies in a job offer:

1. Vessel Tracking Systems (AIS)

MarineTraffic and VesselFinder use AIS data, which shows:

• The vessel’s current location
• Route and port of destination
• Speed and course
• Type of vessel and its main characteristics

How to use for verification:

1. Enter the vessel name or IMO number
2. Check where the vessel is currently located
3. Cross-check this information with the job offer data

For example, if you are offered to depart immediately on a vessel that AIS shows as undergoing long-term repair in a dry dock — this is a clear sign of fraud.

2. IMO Number: The Key to Vessel Verification

Every oceangoing vessel has a unique IMO number (seven-digit identifier) that does not change during the vessel’s service — even if the name, flag, or ownership changes.

Why this is important:

• Knowing the IMO number allows you to uniquely identify the vessel
• Fraudsters often provide a non-existent IMO or a number from another vessel
• The authenticity of the IMO can be checked via official databases

How to check the IMO number:

1. It should contain exactly 7 digits
2. The last digit is the check digit, calculated by a special algorithm
3. Enter the number on the IMO.org or Equasis

3. Equasis Database

Equasis — a free database about ships and shipping companies, containing extensive information:

• Detailed vessel technical characteristics
• History of name and flag changes
• Data about the owner and operator
• Information about the classification society
• History of inspections and Port State Control detentions

How to use for verification:

1. Register (free)
2. Enter the vessel IMO number
3. Review all available information about the vessel

4. Verification of Classification Societies

Classification societies (DNV, Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas and others) maintain their own databases of ships certified by them:

• DNV Vessel Register
• Lloyd’s Register Class Direct
• Bureau Veritas VeriSTAR

The absence of the vessel in the database of the claimed classification society is a serious cause for concern.

Step-by-Step OSINT Check: An Example

Consider a practical example verifying the vessel ELEEN SOFIA (IMO: 9407512) if you have received a job offer on it.

Step 1: Verification of Existence and Location

1. Open MarineTraffic or VesselFinder
2. Enter "ELEEN SOFIA IMO:9407512"
3. Retrieve current data: vessel type (Supramax bulker), flag (Liberia), current location

What to look for:

• Does the vessel type match what’s stated in the job offer?
• Is the vessel actually located in the region stated in the offer?
• Is the vessel active or is it under repair/in lay-up?

Step 2: Verification via Equasis

1. Enter IMO number 9407512 on the Equasis site
2. Review the information received:

Main vessel data:

• Year built: 2008
• Deadweight: 55,411 tons
• Yard: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Japan
• Class: ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai)

Company information:

• Registered owner: Maritime Sofia LLC (offshore company, Marshall Islands)
• Technical manager: Eleen Marine JSC
• Base country: Bulgaria (office in Sofia)

Inspection history:

• December 2022: detained by the US Coast Guard in New Orleans for 10 days due to safety violations
• February 2024: inspection in Australia revealed wage arrears and supply issues
• April 2024: ITF inspectors documented critical violations (shortage of provisions, non-working air conditioning)

Step 3: Operating and Detention History

1. Using AIS services (MarineTraffic, VesselFinder) check movement history:
   • The vessel actively sails in the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and Africa
   • Frequent ports: Salalah (Oman), Chittagong (Bangladesh), Mackay (Australia), Mombasa (Kenya)
2. History of arrests and detentions:
   • December 2022: detention in New Orleans (USA)
   • April 2024: detention in Mackay port (Australia) for commercial claims
   • December 2024: detention in Mombasa (Kenya) due to a supplier’s claim for unpaid repairs (~$55k)
3. Name and flag changes:
   • Original name: ERIA COLOSSUS under Panama flag
   • Renamed ELEEN SOFIA in 2021 upon ownership change
   • Current flag: Liberia (home port Monrovia)

Step 4: Checking News Mentions and Reports

1. Use search queries like "ELEEN SOFIA IMO 9407512" with keywords:
   • detention, arrest, problems, ITF, crew
2. Locate publications:
   • ITF press releases referring to the vessel as the "ship of shame"
   • Trade press (Maritime Executive, Splash 24/7) mentioning labor-conditions violations
   • Reports by national unions about onboard problems

Problems Found:

• Numerous detentions in various countries
• Wages arrears to the crew
• Under-supply (provisions, parts)
• Poor living conditions (air conditioning not working in tropical climate)
• Complex ownership structure complicating problem resolution

Red Flags in Verification

During OSINT research, pay attention to these warning signs:

• Data mismatch: vessel information in the offer does not align with open sources
• AIS off: vessel has not transmitted location data for a long time
• Frequent flag changes: especially to flags with lax requirements
• Numerous detentions: indicates systemic safety issues
• Lack of P&I insurance: increases risks of non-payment of compensation in accidents
• Sanctions lists: check whether the vessel or company is under international sanctions

Additional Sources for Verification

1. Official Ship Registers

• Paris MoU — inspection database for ships in European ports
• Tokyo MoU — similar system for the Asia-Pacific region
• USCG PSIX — US Coast Guard database

2. Specialized Maritime Databases

• IHS Maritime & Trade — paid but comprehensive database
• Q88 — information about tankers
• Clarkson Research — freight and vessel data

3. Sanctions List Checks

• OFAC SDN List — U.S. sanctions
• EU Sanctions Map — European sanctions lists

Conclusion

Using OSINT methods significantly reduces the risk of becoming a victim of fraud when seeking employment. Spending a few hours on thorough verification of the vessel and the company can save you money, time, and reputation.

Remember the main safe-employment principles:

• Never pay for employment
• Always verify information through multiple independent sources
• Require a written contract before starting work
• When in doubt, contact ITF or sailors’ unions

Useful Resources

• MarineTraffic — vessel tracking
• VesselFinder — alternative tracking system
• Equasis — detailed ship information (registration required)
• ITF ShipBeSure — verification of crewing agencies
• ITF contact — email for reporting fraud

Take care and share knowledge with colleagues!