Weapons Trafficking at Sea

Illegal weapons via maritime routes

Weapons trafficking by sea contributes to global instability and conflict. Illicit arms shipments support criminal organizations and insurgent groups. The Small Arms Survey highlights that maritime routes are frequently used to smuggle small arms and light weapons. Efforts to curb weapons trafficking include international treaties like the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), enhanced maritime patrols, and intelligence sharing among nations. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive strategies to detect and intercept illegal arms shipments, thus preventing their proliferation and reducing armed violence.