GPS spoofing is a technically sophisticated approach that sends fake signals to a water vessel’s navigation systems, thereby tricking them into displaying incorrect courses, locations, and speeds. Unlike GPS jamming, which tends to block the GPS signals, spoofing is more harmful, as it distorts them. For example, making fake data appear authentic makes detection extremely difficult.
Presently, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have collectively issued a joint concern regarding the increasing number of GPS spoofing and jamming incidents. These agencies, along with many others, had urged the respective governments and governing bodies to strengthen their resilience and focus on traditional navigational backups, without relying solely on GPS technologies, and to report promptly whenever any interference is required to prevent an impending maritime accident.
From the Red Sea to the Black Sea, GNSS interference is escalating – here’s what recent incidents, expert analyses, and global agencies tell us about navigating through the storm
The Jeddah Incident: A Case in Disruption
May 10, 2025 – A containership named “MSC Antonia” shipwrecked itself near Eliza Shoals, which happens to be just outside the Jeddah Port. According to Windward, a maritime analytics firm, the incident was caused by GPS spoofing.
The firm’s data revealed that in the first quarter of 2025, the vessels experienced average AIS location shifts of approximately 6,300 kilometres, representing a sharp increase from the previous quarter (i.e., a rise of roughly 600 km). The Red Sea, particularly near Sudan, has emerged as the breeding ground for such anomalies.
A Splash274 report further supported the relevance of GPS spoofing as the primary reason for such anomalies, resulting in maritime accidents, thereby drawing a direct correlation between the two. In this regard, this article will shed light on GPS spoofing and its growing threat to maritime safety.
The Bigger Picture: A Pattern of Interference in Middle Eastern Waters
The case of “MSC Antonia” is not a part of rare maritime events; rather, it hinted towards a larger and ongoing pattern. In furtherance of this context, Baird Maritime reported continued accidents caused by AIS spoofing and GPS interference in Middle Eastern waters. These are clearly not isolated events; rather, if all dots are connected, the pattern becomes apparent.
As mentioned previously, Winward’s analysis identified the Red Sea waters near Sudan to be the hotspot of GNSS interference. gCaptain further clarified this notion by stating that vessels tend to record extreme AIS “positional” anomalies, and according to the data, these are a direct result of the sharp escalation in spoofing activity in 2025.
Beyond having significant financial and operational risks for shipowners, cargo delays and subsequent increase in insurance exposure pose a serious threat to the overall maritime infrastructure if such events continue.
How GPS Spoofing Works and Why It Is Dangerous?
GPS spoofing happens when a vessel’s receiver receives false satellite signals through GPS transmission. This causes the receiver to miscalculate the vessel’s position, course, speed, or all of these. On the other hand, GPS jamming blocks the signals transmitted by the satellites. Spoofing is more dangerous because it fabricates the data. In simpler terms, miscalculations are worse than missed calculations, because the former is a sure way towards wreckage.
GPS hacking differs slightly from GPS spoofing. In the former context, the hacker needs to infiltrate the system to directly control and manipulate the data, but in the latter context, there’s no requirement for infiltration (making it easier). By simply deceiving the receivers through counterfeit signals, GPS spoofing can cause real harm.
The most common signals to watch out for to identify spoofing include sudden and unexplained changes in the ship’s motion, position, speed, and course deviations.
The Global Policy Response
As mentioned earlier, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issued a joint statement expressing grave concerns regarding the increasing instances of navigation spoofing and jamming. These agencies clearly outlined the definitions of jamming and spoofing, as well as how they threaten the security factors of global transportation.
These agencies further urged the respective governing bodies to protect navigation satellite services (RNSS). The core recommendations, as provided by them, include strengthening resilience, maintaining conventional navigation backups, and prompt reporting.
GNSS interference can cause more than just safety issues; it can also lead to legal trouble and insurance problems. If disruptions aren’t handled well, shipowners risk higher liability, delays, and breaking charter agreements. As rules tighten, the industry is being pushed to implement additional navigation protections and maintain clear records to meet the demands of regulators and insurers.
The technology protection
The protection for these kinds of attacks cannot be the generic OT or, even worse, the classical IT Security with vulnerabilities, CVEs, IT risk factors.
The protection here can only come from specialized solutions, able to dissect, digest, and operate on top of the NMEA protocol (versions -0183 and 0200), while considering the whole Maritime OT risks with the different specific attacks due to maritime protocols, usage, device and vessel’s architecture
Concluding Thoughts: What the Industry Must Do Now?
The Jeddah tragedy should not be treated as just another shipwreck, but rather as a wake-up call. GPS spoofing is a real threat, and it is happening now. The entire maritime sector should take it seriously and take immediate action. From improved monitoring to the implementation of a multi-navigation system, the sector must take all necessary precautions, including having contingency plans.
Policymakers and governing bodies must all act together to save the maritime industry from impending doom if not acted upon promptly. Without swift, coordinated action, the next spoofing event could cause real-world accidents, delays, or worse.
