A coalition of fourteen states has issued an urgent warning: we need to take action to address the arising security threat caused by interference with maritime navigation systems in European waters. The warning comes as unlawfully operational ’shadow fleets’, trying to circumvent European sanctions against Russia, become commonplace.
“The effect of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference, which disturbs the system on which modern maritime transport fundamentally relies, degrades the safety of international shipping,” the declaration signed by states with coastlines along the Baltic and North Seas, plus Iceland, states.
The signatories further highlight that they are also concerned about the spoofing of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) as a significant threat to maritime safety.
Shadow fleet concerns
The joint message to flag and port states, along with ship classification societies and ship operators across the globe, states that the maritime industry must recognize GNSS interference and AIS spoofing as systemic safety and security threats in Europe. The coalition of Baltic and North Sea states is calling on ship operators to prepare both their crews and vessels for scenarios in which navigation signals become unavailable. The coalition also requests feedback mechanisms for the mass signaling that is currently under investigation.
The effect of the Global Navigation Satellite System interference degrades the safety of international shipping. – Common Declaration by the Coastal States of the Baltic Sea and the North Sea with Iceland
Concerns over issues like an unlawfully operational ‘shadow fleet’ have become commonplace in the commercial use of maritime navigation systems.
Unsurprisingly given its history as a group of coastal states in one of the busiest seas in the world, the declaration focuses on state compliance with maritime laws. The text of the declaration refers to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) regulatory framework for maritime activities. The declaration refers specifically to the existing Common Law like international nautical conventions as developed by the following organizations: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), and United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
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The decision by Baltic and North Sea states to issue this joint statement comes in the context of suspicions about a ’shadow fleet’ being used as a mechanism to circumvent sanctions against the Russian Federation. These sanctions have been imposed to curb Russia’s ability to finance its aggressive war against Ukraine.
Europe’s maritime domain
In a final requirement, the declaration states that vessels must comply with MARPOL Annex I requirements and inform coastal states of ship-to-ship oil transfers that occur within Exclusive Economic Zones, but also that it should not conduct such transfers without due notice.
Involved states expect this development to counter an escalation in actions by non-state actors that may pose risks to European transport routes. In particular Nordic states that share borders with Russia have begun issuing warnings. The declaration comes on the back of discussions within European Union and Parliament circles regarding actions to enhance the resilience of key transport corridors in Europe.
In this context GNSS interference that disrupts Position Timing Navigation (PTN) signals have also been reported in aviation and emergency services. The call for action is requesting support in assessing and possibly developing systems that could serve as redundancies to existing EU GNSS systems.
A groundwork has been set for compliance and collaboration within state policy settings, particularly relating to IMO processes to ensure safety at sea, and rule of law in maritime system operations.
