What a 25-Day AIS Blackout Off Libya Tells Us About Mediterranean Narcotics Routes

AI Summary

A Mali-flagged cargo vessel departed an Albanian port in late August 2026 bound for Egypt and then stopped transmitting AIS data off eastern Libya for 25 days and 8 hours. Its reappearance on September 23 has raised questions about possible links between AIS blackouts and Mediterranean narcotics routes.

The 25-Day Gap Between Albania and Libya In late August 2026, a Mali-flagged general cargo vessel left an Albanian port, declared Egypt as its destination, and switched off its AIS transponder in open water off eastern Libya. For 25 days and 8 hours, nothing was transmitted. When it reappeared on September 23, it was at ...