New Research Project - Port Politics: A service characteristics approach to countering organised crime

A new SOC ACE research project will examine the vulnerabilities of global seaports to organised crime and corruption, revealing how these critical trade gateways are targeted by criminal groups.

 Seaports serve as major transport nodes, and their complex technical operations and sprawling infrastructures can create multiple opportunities for criminal infiltration. The features that make ports efficient – high‑volume cargo handling, intricate logistics, and reliance on numerous groups of operators – can also make it easier for criminal networks to exploit key facilities. Just as crucially, the political dynamics surrounding the port sector are of direct relevance to ease of criminal penetration – with key risks compounded by the nature of a port’s politics and governance, where regulatory weaknesses or competing interests serve to enable criminal access.

 Led by specialists Cathy Haenlein, Elijah Glantz and Mark Williams (RUSI), and Professor Anna Sergi (University of Bologna), the project brings together expertise in organised crime, maritime security, and illicit trade. The team aims to provide policymakers and other key stakeholders in port authorities and other key agencies with politically informed, practical insights to strengthen the resilience of port facilities.

For more information visit the project web-page here.