cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/49828000

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Russia is putting “all vessels at risk” of collision or shipwreck by jamming navigation systems, Britain and other countries around the Baltic and North Sea have warned.

A letter sent to the International Maritime Organisation says Russia is interfering with safety-critical GPS signals, causing accidents and endangering ships around the world.

While the GPS jamming of aircraft by Russia has been reported before, the letter reveals the extent of the risks to shipping.

A report by the Royal Institute of Navigation (Rin) says that hundreds of vessels are affected every day. The most common methods of interference include jamming — blocking or overwhelming the satellite signals with noise so that ships cannot get a position — or spoofing, broadcasting false satellite signals.

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Last week, Britain provided France with intelligence before the French navy took control of a stateless tanker laden with Russian oil in the Mediterranean.

Russia’s shadow fleet is considered a serious risk to maritime safety, since it primarily uses underinsured and ageing tankers, which have been linked to spoof satellite signals and other forms of interference.

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A survey of ships’ crew by Rin found that, among those who had experienced satellite interference, 86 per cent were concerned it had an impact on safety. In 14 per cent of cases, ships had been led into an unsafe or unlawful situation by the interference.

Ivana-Maria Carionni-Burnett, a sea captain and chair of the Rin maritime navigation group, said the danger could not be overcome by traditional navigation techniques.

“These are no longer isolated incidents and pose a real risk to life: people, property and the environment. We must do more to safeguard our seas today and the shipping of tomorrow,” she said.

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The British government’s letter calls on all states and maritime bodies to recognise GPS jamming and false signals as a threat to safety, and to start developing alternative safety systems that can be used when Russia jams signals.

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