Disruptions in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have significantly increased and are adversely affecting vessels navigating in the Gulf of Finland, said Finnish Transport and Communications Agency- Traficom on Friday.
Finnish and Estonian authorities are warning vessels of potential disruptions and have issued joint guidelines to help vessels prepare for them.
The incidence of disruptions has been increasing throughout the first half of the year and has further intensified in June.
GNSS disruptions make it more difficult for vessels to operate and navigate, increasing the risk of accidents, including serious environmental damage.
“Disruptions have already caused near misses in the Gulf of Finland. To avoid them in the future, it is important that vessels are prepared for disruptions,” said Maritime Director of Traficom Sanna Sonninen.
Time and location data provided by GNSS systems are widely used in navigation systems, and signal disruptions may cause unexpected malfunctions, for example in vessels’ autopilot functions.
GNSS disruptions also affect the Automatic Identification System AIS, which is used to locate and identify vessels. AIS spoofing, or providing the system with incorrect data, has also become more frequent. However, alongside AIS, other systems are also used to verify data on the location and movement of ships.
Finland and Estonia have issued a navigational warning in the Gulf of Finland due to the disruptions.
The warning covers the territorial waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of both countries.
Vessels navigating in the Gulf of Finland are automatically informed of GNSS disruptions via the Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC).
In addition to the warning, the ENC also provides general guidance on how to operate in the event of disruptions.
“We have informed mariners about the disruptions for over a year now. As the incidence of disruptions has continued to intensify, we and the Estonian maritime authorities concluded that vessels need more information about the situation,” Sonninen said.
Sonninen also reminds that issuing warnings about hazards at sea is part of the authorities’ duties and normal operation. Similar warnings are issued, for example, about channel construction and cable or pipe-laying works.
Finland and Estonia will also report the disruptions to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). IMO will disseminate the information to all of its 176 member states.
On 10 June, Traficom and other maritime authorities informed mariners about GNSS disruptions in the Gulf of Finland.
- Finland
- Estonia
- GNSS disruptions
- Gulf of Finland
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
