Coastal nations bordering the North Sea and Baltic Sea have jointly issued a letter to shipowners and flag states regarding legal obligations, particularly concerning vessels operating in the shadow fleet. Russia, a key Baltic coastal state and a focal point of the safety concerns, did not sign the letter.
GNSS Interference and Safety Concerns
The letter highlights the increasing problem of GNSS interference in the Eastern Baltic, a phenomenon documented for years by ship trackers and researchers. Evidence suggests the interference originates from a cluster of powerful GNSS jamming and spoofing stations located in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, some utilizing outdated analog equipment. GPSPatron and Gdynia Maritime University have determined these stations operate in a coordinated manner.
“These disturbances, originating from the Russian Federation, degrade the safety of international shipping. All vessels are at risk,” the 14 coastal states warned.
The states urged the international maritime community to ensure crews are prepared to utilize traditional navigational skills should GNSS service be disrupted. They also called for international collaboration on alternative terrestrial radionavigation systems, such as eLORAN, acknowledging long-standing cybersecurity warnings about the vulnerability of GNSS and the need for resilient positioning, navigation, and timing systems.
Shadow Fleet Compliance
The letter also addresses the shadow fleet, known for prioritizing cost savings over maintenance, utilizing lenient flag registries, and frequently changing flags. Windward reports that over 300 shadow fleet vessels are currently flying false flags or no flag at all.
The states reminded owners that vessels can only legally fly one flag, and operating under multiple flags is equivalent to operating as a stateless vessel, according to UNCLOS Article 92. Stateless vessels are subject to boarding and inspection by flag state verification boards on the high seas, potentially leading to detention if compliance issues – including insurance, SMS, STCW, MARPOL, or sanctions – are discovered.
The letter detailed numerous basic requirements often lacking in the shadow fleet, including maintaining a proper lookout, having a functioning SMS and MARPOL response plan, adhering to IMO mandatory routing systems, and communicating with Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) operators.
This warning comes amid a growing trend of assertive maritime law enforcement in Western Europe. Last week, French commandos seized a Russia-serving shadow fleet tanker in the Mediterranean with assistance from the UK, detaining the vessel’s master on suspicion of flying a false flag.
Signatories to the letter include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
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