ABSTRACT
The fundamental characteristic of smuggling mobilities is the utilisation of the relational flows associated with sanctioned cargomobilities. The primary concern of this chapter is the clandestine, illicit mobilities that have been created in the wake of containerisation's global impact. The focus then is on the use of shipping containers as 'smuggler objects', as illicit spaces for the purpose of both human and non-human smuggling. The central thesis of this chapter concerns the epistemological rupture that all systems contain within themselves. The issue of stabilisation in relation to the apparent efficiencies of cargomobilities is read through the harnessing of such flows through smuggling practices. The chapter concludes to address the issue of aporetic openness, that is, how all objects, processes or systems are open to continual rupture: this is discussed in relation to the container as a smuggler object, but also with the epistemological uncertainties seen with cargomobilities more widely.
