08 Jul Is the Captain a Code? Redefining the “Genuine Link” under the Law of the Sea in the Age of Maritime Algorithmic Architecture
[Sanae Bouyayachen is a PhD candidate in international law at University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco]
Introduction: From Personal Command to Algorithmic Architecture
On February 12, 2026, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies formally agreed to expedite the integration of advanced technological surveillance to safeguard the Baltic Sea, a move that underscores a deepening crisis in maritime law. This strategic shift is a direct response to recent reports by NATO documenting a surge in AIS spoofing in 2025 by the shadow fleet. The fundamental challenge is whether the traditional mechanisms through which flag States exercise effective jurisdiction

