Experts Warn of Maritime Safety Risks from GNSS Interference

A recent report from the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) highlights the growing dangers posed to global shipping by interference with navigation systems, including GPS and other GNSS technologies. Experts warn that hundreds of vessels are affected daily, creating urgent risks to maritime safety. Such interference can occur through jamming, which blocks navigation systems, or spoofing, which provides false positional data. Ships navigating in regions with known GNSS interference are particularly vulnerable, as many critical ship systems—radar, radios, clocks, and satellite communications—depend heavily on GNSS signals. In 2025, at least two maritime collisions and groundings were linked to GNSS disruptions. Maritime captain Ivana-Maria Carrioni-Burnett, chair of the RIN Maritime Navigation Group, emphasized that traditional navigation methods cannot fully compensate for GNSS failures due to the integration of these systems into modern ships’ safety mechanisms. She stressed the real risk to human life, property, and the environment and called for stronger measures to protect maritime operations. The report also notes that while Russia has been accused of large-scale jamming and spoofing in Eastern Europe, the problem is global and affects all shipping regions. Overall, experts urge immediate action to strengthen cybersecurity and resilience in maritime navigation systems.