Ransom as Modern Piracy and Shadow Fleet Tactics

Ami links Houthi and Iranian tactics to historical piracy, explaining cash-for-passage and false‑flagging practices.

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Episode notes

On this episode of Invested, Michael Eisenberg sits down with Ami Daniel, co-founder and CEO of Windward, for a deep dive into one of the most important global trade chokepoints: the Straits of Hormuz.

In this urgent conversation, Michael and Ami unpack how the closure and disruption of the Straits of Hormuz could affect the global economy, oil prices, LNG and LPG exports, container shipping, fertilizers, steel, food supply chains, and the future of maritime security. Drawing on Ami’s expertise in maritime AI and naval strategy, he explores why the Strait of Hormuz is far more than an oil story, and why its disruption impacts nearly every country, industry, and consumer in the world.

They discuss:

Why the Straits of Hormuz matter to global trade
How Iran’s actions could reshape shipping routes, energy markets, and maritime logistics
The role of naval power, mines, drones, and maritime chokepoints
The ripple effects on Europe, Asia, developing markets, and the wider global economy
Why this crisis could have lasting implications for inflation, supply chains, and geopolitical stability

Ami Daniel is the Co-founder & CEO of Windward, a leading Maritime AI company transforming global trade through predictive intelligence and big data analytics. As a former naval officer, he brings deep maritime expertise and a passion for AI-driven risk management, compliance, and operational optimization.

Under his leadership, Windward has pioneered AI solutions for governments, financial institutions, and commercial entities. His insights on maritime AI, sanctions, and supply chain resilience have been featured in major publications, including The New York Times, The Economist, and Financial Times.

If you want to understand the intersection of geopolitics, maritime trade, oil markets, shipping intelligence, and global risk, this episode is essential viewing.

Please rate this episode 5 stars wherever you stream your podcasts!

KEY TOPICS

00:00 - Intro

02:22 - “Not Just Oil” – Everything Is Hit

05:29 - Why Nobody Stopped Iran Earlier

07:40 - Mines, Drones, and Maritime Warfare

09:10 - Can Anyone Actually Reopen Hormuz?

09:20 - $500M Cargo Trips Becoming Normal

10:15 - Suicide Boats vs Global Trade

12:03 - Fuel Shortages Spreading Globally

12:50 - Modern Piracy: Iran’s Cash Playbook

14:30 - Hundreds of Ships Trapped in Gulf