Inside the perfect storm: Windward on the hidden war reshaping the oceans

The world is experiencing the most volatile maritime period in a generation, according to Ami Daniel, co-founder and CEO of Windward, a maritime intelligence company. Speaking on the Defense & Tech podcast, Daniel detailed a confluence of threats including Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz, Russia's "shadow fleet" of over 2,100 ships moving sanctioned oil outside Western oversight, and the presence of Ukrainian underwater drones in Greek waters.

Daniel noted a "600% spike in vessels 'going dark'" in the Strait of Hormuz, a tactic used to evade detection. He expressed concern over the U.S. Navy's five-to-seven-year shipbuilding timeline, which he believes leaves Washington vulnerable. Regarding the critical Strait of Hormuz, Daniel stated bluntly that reopening it would require either a deal with Iran or a "scorched earth" approach, with no middle ground.

He identified underwater infrastructure as a significant, yet overlooked, threat. Daniel's personal connection to maritime security stems from a 2006 incident where his vessel, the INS Hanit, was struck by a Hezbollah missile off the coast of Lebanon. Surviving that attack, he says, is the driving force behind Windward's mission.

Windward's customers include the White House and global shipping leaders, positioning the company at the center of understanding these complex maritime dynamics. The conversation also touched upon agentic AI in naval warfare, the opening Arctic, and the future of the Abraham Accords, suggesting these are key areas where future conflicts may unfold.

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I'm doing it because it's a mission.