Vessels operating in affected areas are more exposed to signal manipulation

Marlink, a global leader in secure managed services for business-critical digital solutions, reports a more than 50% increase in detected and reported Global Navigation Satellite System  interference incidents across its customer base during March, highlighting a growing operational risk for vessels operating in sensitive regions.

The rise in disruption is closely linked to evolving geopolitical conditions, particularly in areas such as the Middle East, where electronic interference including jamming and spoofing is increasingly affecting maritime operations.

Collectively known as GNSS, services including GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou, underpin core vessel operations. These signals support not only effective navigation but also satellite acquisition across all maritime antenna types, including those used in distress alerting systems. Low signal strength makes maritime satcom inherently vulnerable to local interference through jamming and spoofing, with the potential to disrupt safe and effective operations due to impacting service quality and availability.

Recent observations show that interference events are no longer isolated. Instead, they are becoming a persistent feature along key maritime routes, requiring operators to adopt a more resilient and informed approach to navigation and connectivity. Marlink is actively monitoring these developments through its global network operations and supporting customers with both operational guidance and technical solutions. Practical steps for vessels operating in affected regions already communicated to its customer base include:

• Restarting antenna control systems if incorrect GNSS data is detected
• Verifying vessel position against onboard systems and updating manually where required
• Checking GNSS data integrity after exiting interference zones
• Power cycling affected terminals where necessary to restore service

Alongside operational guidance, Marlink is deploying resilience measures that strengthen the integrity of positioning, navigation and timing used by satellite communications systems. These include the use of interference-resistant GNSS reception, filtering and suppression of disruptive signals, and the ability to identify abnormal signal behaviour in real time. By combining improved signal reception with onboard mitigation techniques and continuous monitoring, these capabilities help maintain stable antenna pointing, accurate positioning and service continuity, even when GNSS signals are degraded or manipulated.

Integrated within Marlink’s Possibility Portfolio, these capabilities provide fleet operators with visibility, control and the ability to maintain service continuity across hybrid networks, even when GNSS signals are compromised.

“Maritime operators are facing an unprecedented level of GNSS interference in certain regions today,” said Tore Morten Olsen, President Maritime, Marlink. “When positioning is compromised, it can quickly impact both connectivity and safety systems onboard. Our role is to support customers with the insight, guidance and resilient solutions they need to maintain safe and efficient operations in these environments.”