One of the biggest issues of our generation is illegal or irregular migration. The maritime industry is especially touched by this issue, as our wide stretches of waters are difficult to protect and are thus, vulnerable to unmonitored or illicit movement. The water has been the chosen route for many people fleeing wars or hardship in their countries—from Cuban people sailing to America, to African and Middle Eastern refugees heading to Europe via Italy, for example.

Often, immigrant traffic comes by way of rickety vessels that are barely seaworthy, or on overloaded ships; this is a major problem in Europe, where thousands are said to have drowned last year while trying to cross the Mediterranean. Others cross borders as stowaways on ships, or are trafficked as human cargo. Kemplon Engineering reports on recent instances of stowaways, and the new dangers they present in a conflicted world.

According to the International Maritime Organization, stowaways are persons secreted onto a ship or as cargo loaded onto a ship, without the knowledge of those responsible for the vessel, and who are later detected after departure and reported to authorities.

The dangers and negative consequences of stowaways are widely known. First, the lives of stowaways are in danger if they are in hiding and have to survive subhuman conditions with little food or water provisions. The security of vessels are also at risk, with unknown persons present and possibly in areas sensitive to operations. Upon their discovery, ships can also expect delays and additional work as stowaways are reported and processed. Finally, for countries and ports, the repatriation of stowaways can be costly.

There are, however, other dangers emerging from the problem of stowaways. In January, the Dutch Navy reported they had discovered stowaways on a ship that had delivered aid to Ebola-stricken countries in West Africa. Luckily, they had no symptoms of this terrifying, viral disease—but the risk the country could have faced if the men were ill cannot be plainer.

Aside from disease control, the problem of stowaways may herald another danger: terrorism. Suspicious stowaways were encountered on a Ro-Ro heading to Turkey, where they allegedly meant to go from Istanbul and on to Syria to join ISIS or another militant group. What concerns authorities is not only that stowaways like these could be strengthening the region’s militant groups… they may also use the route to return radicalized, becoming a threat after training and fighting for extremists groups.

In a late 2014 incident, intercepted at the port of Dover leaving Britain last November was a truck carrying: a terror suspect who allegedly had records for orders of millions’ worth of ammunition; and a couple of Britons allegedly intending to join and fight for the Islamic State in Syria.

Another risk is that jihadists may send militiamen into tumultuous Libya, from which they can cross the Mediterranean among the thousands of migrants heading to Europe.

Tensions and fear are high in so many parts of our globe. There is already an increasing sense of fear, xenophobia and racism, as many migrants are regarded with suspicion and even derision in the countries they desperately run to. In these situations, we must remember that many of them truly are helplessly fleeing the dire situations of their homelands, and they deserve our sympathy and humanitarian aid. But that does not mean we should be blind to the dangers presented by frenzied flows of humanity. The difficult question facing our authorities now is, how to balance compassion with safety and control.

References
Associated Press. “Dutch Navy Find 3 Stowaways on Ship that Delivered Ebola Aid.” APNewsArchive.com, 20 Jan 2015. Web. 28 Feb 2015. http://www.apnewsarchive.com/2015/Dutch_navy_find_3_stowaways_on_ship_that_delivered_Ebola_aid/id-b09741aa97ed458c843d94a5ad2124d8
Camber, Rebecca. “A Libyan 'arms dealer' carrying order for £18million of ammunition, two British 'jihadis' and 17 illegal migrants... all found in one lorry leaving Dover!.” Mail Online, 16 Dec 2014. Web. 28 Feb 2015. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2874294/Former-British-boxing-champion-charged-alleged-plot-smuggle-jihadis-Syria.html
International Maritime Organization. “Stowaways.” IMO.org. Web. Accessed 28 Feb 2015. http://www.imo.org/OurWork/Facilitation/Stowaways/Pages/Default.aspx
Sherlock, Ruth and Colin Freeman. “Islamic State 'planning to use Libya as gateway to Europe'.” The Telegraph, 17 Feb 2015. Web. 28 Feb 2015. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11418966/Islamic-State-planning-to-use-Libya-as-gateway-to-Europe.html
“Suspicious Stowaways Possibly ISIS-Connected.” Maritime Executive, 21 Feb 2015. Web. 28 Feb 2015. http://maritime-executive.com/article/suspicious-stowaways-possibly-isis-connected
http://gbtimes.com/world/greece-seeks-additional-eu-funds-protect-sea-borders
http://gmhlegal.com/case-study-global-special-humanitarian-visa-subclass-202-for-syrian-national-under-the-community-proposal-pilot/
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/5386