Ireland’s maritime security is under threat due to an outdated ship registration system, warns Transparency Ireland. The 19th-century paper-based process, managed across 13 ports, lacks basic ID checks, making it easy for criminals to exploit vessels for drug smuggling, money laundering, and sanctions evasion. A 2014 law to digitize the registry remains unimplemented, leaving 43 Irish-flagged ships vulnerable, according to the Department of Transport.

The reliance on handwritten ledgers, unchanged since the 1800s, creates significant gaps in oversight, says Alexander Chance of Transparency Ireland. Without mandatory verification of owners’ identities—such as passports or nationality details—the system allows criminals to register ships under false pretenses, facilitating illicit activities like arms smuggling or human trafficking. This outdated setup not only hampers law enforcement’s ability to track suspicious vessels but also delays Ireland’s alignment with modern international maritime standards.

High-profile cases, like the MV Matthew, used by a drug gang to move €157 million in cocaine, highlight the issue. Alexander Chance calls for a modernized registry, stronger anti-corruption measures for port workers, and safeguards against bribery in maritime infrastructure projects to curb organized crime’s grip on ports.

Retired Naval Commander Tony Geraghty says Ireland’s weak monitoring of its Exclusive Economic Zone undermines sovereignty. He urges investment in naval regeneration, maritime cyber defenses, and policy integration to counter suspicious vessels, especially post-Brexit. “Security needs bold leadership and funding,” Geraghty insists.

As Ireland shapes its National Maritime Security Strategy, experts demand urgent reforms to protect the seas from crime and corruption.