Greek Tax Authority to Monitor Thousands of Vessels in Real Time

Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) is setting sail into the digital age of maritime surveillance. Beginning September 14, AADE will gain access to the MarineTraffic Enterprise Plan, a powerful real-time vessel tracking platform, as part of a new strategy to tackle fuel smuggling and customs violations at sea.

From its Central Maritime Operations Center located in Kolokynthou, Athens, AADE will be able to monitor up to 240,000 vessels simultaneously, tracking their movements not only in Greek territorial waters but across international shipping lanes.

Next-Generation Maritime Surveillance

The platform uses Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology, combining terrestrial stations, satellite data, and roaming capabilities to ensure vessel visibility even in remote ocean areas.

Through this system, authorized AADE officers will be able to:

• View real-time vessel positions
• Track speed, heading, and port call history
• Access up to five years of route history
• Receive alerts on estimated time of arrival (ETA), draft changes, or unusual movements

This information will allow customs officers to analyze behavioral patterns, detect anomalies, and identify suspicious shipping activity more effectively than ever before.

Monitoring High-Risk Zones

The new platform also allows the creation of custom surveillance zones, such as offshore hotspots known for illicit ship-to-ship transfers. Within these zones, AADE can:

• Set up automated notifications for key changes (e.g., speed drops or route deviations)
• Monitor port congestion and waiting times
• Access detailed vessel specs, ownership data, and operational status for over 95% of the global commercial fleet

The Focus: Maritime Fuel Smuggling

This initiative is part of a broader push to crack down on the illegal trade of marine fuels, a problem costing the Greek state millions annually.

Even prior to the platform’s deployment, AADE’s Sea Control Units (TH.O.E.), working with the Central Maritime Command, successfully intercepted several fuel smuggling operations in July alone:

• July 31: Authorities found 11,687 liters of marine diesel hidden aboard a vessel anchored in Piraeus.
• In another case, a container ship was carrying an undeclared 39,336 liters of fuel.
• A general cargo vessel was caught with 24,500 liters of marine fuel and 10,169 kg of low-sulfur crude oil, without valid documentation.

The new system is expected to dramatically enhance the efficiency and precision of such inspections.

Smarter Enforcement, Safer Waters

By integrating real-time data with historical analytics, AADE aims to:

• Detect unusual sailing patterns
• Pinpoint undeclared fuel transfers
• Conduct targeted inspections with high-impact results

According to the official procurement documentation, this move is deemed “an urgent necessity” to support AADE’s operational objectives against customs fraud and fuel smuggling.

Greece is turning to technology-driven maritime oversight to protect its economy and territorial integrity. The adoption of the MarineTraffic Enterprise Plan is more than a software upgrade—it’s a strategic shift in how the country secures its sea borders and enforces fiscal compliance offshore.

As the Greek tax authority brings the high seas under surveillance, smugglers may soon find themselves navigating into rougher waters.

Source: pagenews.gr