Spike in cyberattacks demand persistent tracking at sea in International Shipping News 16/02/2026 Not a day goes by without hearing about cyberattacks wreaking havoc for organisations and consumers across the world. The shipping and marine sectors are no exception either. However, the complexity of the attacks here is becoming more sophisticated, and the cost of dealing with them is spiking too. Research from the law firm HFW – as reported by the BBC – shows this problem is growing across the shipping sector (ships and ports) – saying the cost of dealing with an attack has doubled to an average of $550,000 (£410,000) between 2022 and 2023. Alongside this, Marinelink’s Security Operations Centre (SOC) report is quick to point out that for the second half of 2024, cybercriminals targeting the maritime sector have streamlined their tactics, enhanced their operational efficiency, and have adopted emerging technologies to expand their attack capabilities. For example, across its global network of SOCs, Marinelink monitored 1,998 merchant and leisure vessels, recording 9 billion security events and 39 billion firewall events. From these, 718,000 alerts and 10,700 malware incidents were detected, leading to the identification of 50 managed major incidents. Together, these figures shine a spotlight on the cost and scale of the problem. Although the shipping and marine sector is becoming increasingly familiar with cyberattacks and their cost implications, what about the attacks on the systems that provide visibility of where ships are located at sea for shipping operators, supply chain experts, trade compliance professionals and insurance brokers? Where do they fit in? Saleem Khan, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Pole Star Global explains that Automatic Identification System (AIS) spoofing and GPS jamming are frequently used techniques that provide a false idea of ship locations while at sea; and makes the case for using more effective persistent tracking methods. AIS spoofing and GPS jamming To appreciate the concerns with AIS spoofing and GPS jamming it is helpful to understand them. The London Maritime Academy says, “AIS spoofing refers to the deliberate manipulation of Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals by sending false messages that show inaccurate locations or provide fake information about a vessel’s identity, ship’s position, or destination. This process includes the use of fake transmitters, GNSS systems, and broadcasting techniques, which falsify data on radar screens, tracking reports, navigation logs, and even security systems. Characteristics, location, ship type, and speed are vulnerable to falsification through this process.” Related to this form of attack is GPS jamming. This can be broadly defined as the intentional disruption of positioning signals, undermining AIS reliability. Awareness of these kinds of incidents is increasing globally too. No thanks to recent events at the Strait of Hormuz, where AIS spoofing and GPS jamming is high. Additionally, last year, Finland’s Coast Guard shone a light on jamming and spoofing in the Baltic Sea too. It has said that it has detected constant disturbances to satellite navigation signals in the Baltic Sea last October, with some tankers spoofing location data and covering up visits to Russia. In either case, AIS spoofing or GPS jamming, presents serious risks and implications for operators and crew on vessels. For shipping operators, spoofed or jammed data undermines safety in