Several countries bordering the North Sea and Baltic Sea warn against maritime safety and security threats

Fourteen countries bordering the North Sea and the Baltic Sea (Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, UK) have recently co-signed and published an open letter^[1],  in which they warn against growing risks to maritime safety and security in the two sea basins. The letter is addressed to “the International Maritime Community, especially flag and port states, national authorities, flag registries, classification societies, shipping companies, managers and operators as well as seafarers”.

Among other issues, the signatories address the issue of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) jamming and spoofing as well as the manipulation of vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS). In the letter, they call for the recognition of “GNSS interference and AIS manipulation as threats to maritime safety and security.” They moreover ask to “ensure vessels have adequate capabilities and properly trained crew as required by international conventions to operate safely during navigation system outages” and suggest to “cooperate on the development of alternative terrestrial radionavigation systems which may be used in place of GNSS in the event of disruption, loss of signal or interference”.

The letter shows that the Baltic and North Sea areas are under continued exposure to hybrid and cyber- threats as well as risks associated with the Russian shadow fleet in particular. These topics are also likely to play into an upcoming EU Industrial Maritime Strategy scheduled for 4 March. According to a draft version, the strategy is considering a support programme for the building of dual-use (civil-military) ferries in Europe that could then be deployed on strategically important routes.

[1] https://www.dma.dk/Media/639050105465966294/NB8%20Open%20Letter%20FI_FINAL0.pdf