Kian Bostani Nejad, a PhD researcher at the Technical University of Denmark, recently warned in an interview with maritime managers about the unreliability of the GPS satellite navigation system and emphasized the need for a shift in the shipping industry's approach to navigation. He states that currently, interference with GNSS signals has become a permanent issue, and the maritime industry must take this reality into account.
The Necessity of Changing the Approach to Maritime Navigation
Bostani Nejad, referring to his new project named SAT-JAM, which has been developed to identify navigation interferences from space, emphasized that maritime navigation can no longer rely on GNSS as a primary and reliable solution. He believes that fundamental changes in the navigation approach are necessary, and navigation without GNSS must become a necessity.
The SAT-JAM project was launched as a free online platform in September and focuses on identifying GNSS interferences using satellite data. Bostani Nejad mentions that this project started after an unexpected conversation with a space operator who complained about GNSS issues.
Challenges in Maritime Navigation
Bostani Nejad emphasizes that interferences caused by GNSS signals are not limited to ground level, and satellites operating at altitudes of 400 to 600 kilometers also face similar problems. He states that the SAT-JAM platform is designed to identify locations where GNSS interferences occur. However, it should be noted that this platform cannot identify the source of the interference and only identifies locations where interference has been measured.
These findings help ship owners gain a better understanding of the spread of GNSS interferences and fraud. Bostani Nejad also sets two priorities for ship owners: first, updating GNSS receiver technology, and second, training in navigation without GNSS.
In this context, the UK has warned ship owners that satellite navigation is no longer reliable and has asked crews to practice navigation without GPS. These recommendations come in line with new guidelines from the maritime agency and the Coast Guard, emphasizing the increasing threats posed by interferences and fraud in maritime areas.
Additionally, a maritime information company named Windward recorded an average of 5,131 interference incidents daily in the third quarter of this year. The agency has also recommended that regular navigations, the use of alternative methods for positioning, and increased awareness of equipment vulnerabilities are essential.
