The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has warned mariners that satellite navigation can no longer be relied upon in some of the busiest maritime areas in the world. This warning comes as a result of the increasing jamming and spoofing in maritime areas such as the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Persian Gulf, and parts of East Asia.
Vulnerable Equipment
This warning goes beyond electronic charts and includes a long list of vulnerable equipment. This equipment includes ECDIS, AIS, autopilot systems, dynamic navigation systems, radar, gyroscopic compasses, and GMDSS communication equipment. Additionally, maritime traffic services, navigation systems, port management platforms, and automated logistics systems are also at risk.
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Financial Implications and Solutions
The financial implications of this warning are significant. According to previous government research, a seven-day GNSS outage could cost the UK maritime economy £1.5 billion ($2 billion), with £1.3 billion of that solely from port operations. The UK Maritime Agency advises operators to clearly identify which systems rely on satellite data and to take necessary actions to detect interference and practice alternative navigation methods.
Proposed methods include radar stabilization, the use of visual points, celestial navigation, and dead reckoning. The recent warning was issued in response to increasing evidence that disruptions to satellite navigation have become a normal operational risk in conflict areas.
Recent statistics from a maritime intelligence company show that an average of 5,131 GPS disruption incidents were recorded daily in the third quarter, affecting over 124,000 vessels. Additionally, research published earlier this year indicated that 14 percent of survey respondents reported experiencing unsafe or illegal situations due to GNSS disruptions.
The UK is investing in a ground-based navigation support option through the advanced Loran program (eLoran), but recent guidance from the UK Maritime Agency indicates that technological options will take time to become widely available. The UK eLoran network is not expected to provide initial timing capability until 2028, with full navigation services targeted for 2030.
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