Rising GPS Disturbances Over the Baltic Sea Pose Risks to Maritime and Air Traffic
Increased GPS disturbances over the Baltic Sea are endangering maritime and air traffic, with possible hybrid activity origins.
Key Points
- • GPS disturbances in the Baltic Sea are affecting maritime and air traffic.
- • The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency suggests these issues may stem from hybrid activities aiming to disrupt society.
- • Increased reports of GPS spoofing are causing vessels to display incorrect locations.
- • Some disturbances have been traced to areas near Kaliningrad, indicating potential sources of interference.
In recent months, the Baltic Sea has experienced a surge in GPS disruptions that are significantly impacting both maritime and air navigation. **Kristoffer Hultgren** from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (**MSB**) confirmed that these disturbances appear to be part of hybrid activities aimed at destabilizing the society. Earlier reports indicated that air traffic was primarily affected, but maritime traffic is now increasingly experiencing disruptions.
The **Swedish Maritime Administration** has issued warnings due to the increased incidents of GPS spoofing, which have caused vessels to display incorrect locations, such as appearing on land or far from their actual coordinates. This phenomenon has led to major concerns among maritime operators, including emergency services and recreational boat clubs, with many reporting difficulties in relying on GPS signals.
Reports suggest that vessels, including ambulances and cruise ships, have faced severe GPS issues. **Fredrik Norén**, secretary-general of the Swedish Cruising Club, highlighted the alarming accuracy issues, stating that GPS devices have frequently shown erroneous locations or lost signal altogether. He emphasized that this situation could lead to significant consequences if navigational errors occur at sea.
The MSB's warnings, initially concerning only air traffic, have now extended to include maritime operations as they observe a marked increase in GPS interference since late 2023. A dedicated site, **gps-jam.org**, has registered a spike in reports regarding these disturbances, further validating the issue.
Researchers have traced some of the GPS disturbances to areas near **Kaliningrad**, proposing a potential origin for the jamming activity. **Ella Sjöberg** from the Swedish Sea Rescue Society reinforced the need for traditional navigation methods, cautioning that even minor GPS errors can lead to accidents at sea. With the resilience of maritime and air safety at stake, the situation remains under close scrutiny as authorities urge vigilance among mariners and aviators in the impacted regions.