Article

GPS interference and jamming on the increase


published on 2 October 2020 455 -

Text and photos by gard

Ships have reported an increasing number of cases of significant GPS interference and jamming in recent months. The geographic areas with more than one reported incident include the eastern and central Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, and multiple Chinese ports. This interference and jamming have resulted in loss of or inaccurate GPS signals and has affected vessels’ navigation and communication equipment.

Whilst at sea, exact position, speed, and heading are essential to ensure safe navigation. The need for exact position information is particularly important when a vessel navigates close to shore or departs or arrives in port.

US advisories

On 24 September 2020, The US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration Advisories (MARAD) issued an alert 2020-016-Various-GPS Interference covering multiple instances of significant GPS interference reported worldwide in the maritime domain.

Similarly, The US Coast Guard’s Navigation Center (NAVCEN) investigates reports of GPS interference by civil, non-aviation GPS users and researches these reports and, if possible, establishes the mostly likely cause. In the bulk of reported GPS interference instances in the years 2017-2019, 37 were reported by vessels operating in the Mediterranean Sea, with 22 of those reported in the vicinity of Egypt. In addition, 2 instances were reported in the Black Sea (Odessa, Ukraine and Novorossiysk, Russia). Furthermore, there were 1 instance reported in Hodeidah, Yemen, 1 in the Strait of Hormuz and 2 in the port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The reported locations are shown as red dot on the map above.

During the same period, there were also a number of instances of GPS interference reported in China; 4 in the vicinity of Shanghai in Eastern China, 1 in the vicinity of Qingdao in Eastern China, and 1 in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan.

What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video GIDAS - GNSS Interference Detection & Analysis System

published on 29 April 2021

OHB Digital Solutions GmbH develops systems for monitoring the GNSS frequency bands as well as detection, classification and localization of intentional or unintentional interference sources. Many stakeholders and applications as well as critical infrastructure providers are relying on GNSS to provide their services. Since Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are widely used in safety and value critical applications, GIDAS detects, classifies and localizes any GNSS interference...

0

Article GPS (Part 1) - Structure, mode of operation, technical and physical fundamentals of GPS

by Capt. Gunter Schütze, Thailand/Germany - published on 30 January 2020

Of course, as a Nautical Specialist, I also deal with the international discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of satellite-based navigation, e-navigation and conventional terrestrial and astronomical navigation.

0

Article GPS (Part 2), physical and technical errors of GNSS - an error analysis

by Capt. Gunter Schütze, Thailand/Germany - published on 26 February 2020

In my announced sequel, the second part of GPS, it is primarily about the technical and physical operational and functional limitations to which GPS is subject. These limitations, in part, have serious implications for the accuracy of GPS, and even go as far as limiting the functionality of GPS in its functions or even making it impossible. In doing so,

0

Video American P&I Club Video: "Safe Boarding – Three Keys" by Danielle Centeno

published on 3 June 2020

The American P&I Club’s Loss Prevention team is dedicated to protecting the most valuable resource the maritime industry has – the human resource! Earlier this year, the Club hosted local Members, pilots, and industry experts in New York City for a round table discussion entitled “Safe Boarding of Vessels”. Participants discussed boarding procedures and boarding equipment on various types of vessels and solutions for reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls.
In this video, Danielle...

0

Article Premiere of KARCO new release - Pilot Ladder - A Persisting Challenge

published on 18 June 2021

A unique 3D video endeavoring to raise the awareness of the seafarers about a very important, critical, and essential piece of equipment on board. Basic in design, but high on purpose, the mistakes incorrect handling of this equipment continue to result in Near Miss, Incidents and accidents.

0

Video Operation of POD Ships - Discussion on Efficiency comparing Conventional and IN-OUT POD strategy

published on 8 June 2022

In this movie the efficiency of two different pod operation strategies is compared: With azimuth propeller ships the Pods can be used in two ways to control the speed, e.g. for speed reduction: 1. by adjusting the engine orders, e.g. by reducing the RPMs to get lower speed - this means to drive the ship in the same conventional way as for twin screw vessels, 2. by turning both pods either in- or outward (TOE-IN or TOE-OUT) to reduce the forward thrust and therefore reducing the speed – the...

0

Video Understanding and Preventing Tug & Barge Risks

published on 15 January 2021

Blog: https://www.merrimacins.com/understanding-and-preventing-tug-barge-risks/ Understanding and Preventing Tug & Barge Risks The maritime industry relies on tugboats and barges for a wide range of applications. Tugs are used to pilot vessels into and out of ports, while barges are used to transport bulk materials. The relationship between tugs and barges is critical, as most barges are not self-propelled and must rely on the skilled operation of a tug or tugs for propulsion. At Merrimac...

0

Video SIMULATION / MANEUVER OF APPROACH AND MOORING to "TIMBUES" HARBOUR" (BRM - P) BRM Course for #Pilots

published on 4 July 2019

These images show a Navigation drill (SIMULATION) of approach and mooring to one of the Harbours of the Paraná River - "TIMBUES" Harbour (Management and Resources of the Navigation Bridge for Pilots) - (BRM - P) in charge of the Paraná Harbours Pilot, Captain Mr. Diego SCHOTTENHEIM. Exercise carried out in the Navigation Bridge Simulator of the Maritime and Riverine Research and Training Canter (MRRTC), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires #Argentine on March 12, 2019, since 14:50 till 15:55...

0

Video Entering Rio de Janeiro | Aframax Tanker

published on 13 March 2025

Evening Pilotage of inward entry to Rio De Janeiro on Aframax tanker.

0

Video OMC International - DUKC® Explained

published on 14 October 2019

A in-depth video explaining how DUKC® works.

0