The Jordan Harbinger Show 739: Matthew Campbell | Examining Global Shipping’s Grim Underbelly
Oct 18, 2022
Matthew Campbell, an award-winning reporter for Bloomberg Businessweek and co-author of "Dead in the Water," dives into the shadowy world of global shipping. He discusses how 90% of global trade is facilitated by this industry, yet piracy remains rampant due to dire economic conditions. The podcast reveals the real-life murder of an investigator probing maritime crimes and the alarming use of flags of convenience by rogue ship owners. Campbell sheds light on the darkest corners of maritime insurance fraud and the harrowing realities of shipbreaking, highlighting systemic corruption.
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Shipping's Invisibility
- Modern shipping is designed to be invisible, moving ports out of cities.
- This efficiency also makes the industry less understood by the public.
Modern Piracy's Land Base Requirement
- Modern pirates require land bases for support and operations, unlike historical pirates.
- This limits piracy to lawless regions with weak governments, like Somalia and West Africa.
Anecdote: Pirates and Oil Tankers
- Jordan Harbinger's uncle, who worked at Chevron, told him stories about modern pirates.
- These pirates would target yachts and oil tankers for cash and ransom.
