Cyberattacks Surge in Maritime Sector, Persistent Vessel Tracking Becomes Critical
Cyberattacks are escalating across industries, and the shipping and maritime sectors are no exception. According to research by law firm HFW, reported by the BBC, the cost of addressing cyberattacks in the shipping sector doubled from 2022 to 2023, averaging $550,000 per incident. As attacks grow more sophisticated, maritime operators and ports face increasing financial and operational risks.
Marinelink’s Security Operations Centre (SOC) report highlights that for the second half of 2024, cybercriminals targeting the maritime sector have streamlined their tactics, enhanced operational efficiency, and adopted emerging technologies to increase their attack capabilities. Across Marinelink’s global SOC network, 1,998 merchant and leisure vessels were monitored, recording 9 billion security events and 39 billion firewall events. From this, 718,000 alerts and 10,700 malware incidents were detected, leading to 50 major managed incidents. These figures underscore both the scale and cost of cyber threats in maritime operations.
A key concern involves attacks on vessel tracking systems used by shipping operators, supply chain professionals, trade compliance experts, and insurance brokers. Saleem Khan, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Pole Star Global, explains that Automatic Identification System (AIS) spoofing and GPS jamming are common techniques used to falsify ship locations. AIS spoofing involves sending false signals to manipulate vessel identity, position, or destination, while GPS jamming disrupts positioning signals, undermining AIS reliability.
Incidents of AIS spoofing and GPS jamming are increasing globally, including in strategic areas such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Baltic Sea. Finland’s Coast Guard reported persistent satellite navigation signal disturbances in the Baltic Sea last October, with some tankers falsifying location data to conceal visits to Russia. These attacks pose serious risks: for shipping operators, false data can increase the chance of collisions or grounding; for supply chain and logistics professionals, inaccurate positions disrupt cargo visibility and planning; and for financial institutions, spoofed data creates blind spots in sanctions compliance and regulatory oversight.
Persistent tracking offers a solution. By integrating multiple tracking services and data sources, including AIS, secure satellite systems like Inmarsat-C and Iridium, voyage plans, and Earth Observation (EO) data, real-time analytics can significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of vessel location information. Layered data, cross-referencing, and live dashboards enable operators to detect anomalies immediately, minimizing errors and false positives. The use of predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning further enhances insights into cyberattacks and potential vessel deviations.
NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) emphasizes the importance of robust maritime cybersecurity in its policy brief, “Addressing State-Linked Cyber Threats to Critical Maritime Port Infrastructure.” The brief notes that maritime ports handle roughly 80% of global trade and are vital within NATO’s defence logistics network. Strengthening maritime cyber defence not only protects commercial efficiency but also reduces regulatory and operational risks.
As cyberattacks in the maritime sector grow in frequency and sophistication, persistent tracking emerges as a vital tool for safer navigation, operational reliability, and regulatory compliance. By implementing robust tracking systems, the shipping industry can safeguard crew, protect global trade flows, and mitigate the escalating costs and risks associated with AIS spoofing, GPS jamming, and other cyber threats.
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