Good morning. In this week’s edition: Discover how GPS spoofing and cyber-attacks are impacting global shipping and the measures to counteract them.;  ADNOC L&S Signs $4.4 Billion Deal To Build 23 Supertankers For Ammonia, Ethane, & LNG; SCI Q2 Profit reaches Rs.291 crore

MARITIME HEADLINE

How GPS spoofing and cyber-attacks are impacting global shipping and the measures to counteract them.

In today’s digital landscape, maritime security faces unprecedented challenges, from GPS spoofing attacks steering vessels off course to sophisticated cyber intrusions disabling critical ship systems. Recent incidents off Crimea and strategic ports in the U.S. highlight the severity of these threats.

Cyber and electronic warfare tactics, like signal jamming, can disorient navigation and cripple vessels’ operations, posing severe safety and economic risks. Incidents reported include everything from navigation systems being compromised to malware silently infiltrating ship networks.

Leaders like CyberOwl and DNV are partnering to fortify ship systems, while experts like Sahil Andrews Chand from ShipSafe advocate for structured cybersecurity frameworks, crew training, and real-time information-sharing between ships and port authorities. The Singapore-based Information Fusion Centre is also playing a pivotal role in monitoring and alerting ships to potential cyber threats.

With over 10,000 spoofing incidents documented near Crimea alone and increased cases of jamming disrupting communications, it’s clear that proactive measures, continuous risk assessments, and crew preparedness are crucial. The maritime industry must adopt multi-layered defenses and collaborative approaches to safeguard global shipping lanes.

MESSAGE FOR YOU

WORLD MARITIME

-🚨ADNOC Logistics & Services (L&S) signed a $4.4 billion deal to build 23 supertankers to transport low-carbon fuels like ethane, ammonia, and LNG, enhancing UAE’s energy logistics and global sustainability goals. The agreements include a $1.9 billion contract with China’s Jiangnan Shipyard for nine Very Large Ethane Carriers and four Very Large Ammonia Carriers, and $2.5 billion with South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean for 10 LNG carriers. ADNOC L&S CEO Capt. Abdulkareem Al Masabi emphasized that these investments support fleet expansion, reduce emissions, and align with ADNOC’s Net Zero by 2045 and UAE’s 2050 targets, while boosting operational efficiency through AI.

-🛟The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy’s 2024 Arctic mission uncovered a volcano-like feature 1,600 meters below the Arctic Ocean’s surface, rising 500 meters from the seafloor. The discovery, made with the NSF, NOAA, and the University of New Hampshire, revealed a gas plume but poses no risk to navigation. Capt. Meghan McGovern highlighted its significance for understanding the Arctic and enhancing navigation safety. The mission also trained young scientists through the NSF-funded Polar Early Career Scientist Training Project.

-🔥The Mexican Navy intercepted a vessel carrying 3,600 kg of cocaine and arrested nine suspects off Guerrero’s coast, 133 nautical miles from Acapulco. The operation, involving aerial and maritime surveillance, began when a navy aircraft spotted a high-speed “go fast” boat carrying 102 packages of suspected cocaine. Six of the detainees were foreign nationals, and three were Mexican. The navy respected human rights during the arrest, and the suspects were handed over to authorities for legal proceedings. Guerrero is a key transit point for drug shipments from South America, with rival gangs, including the CJNG, vying for control.

SUPPORT NEWS AT SEA

Dear Readers,

Some of you have written to us expressing your intent to contribute to News at Sea’s journalism. While we currently do not have a subscription or membership plan, you can still support us by donating just 100 Rs. to below UPI link/number.

INDIAN MARITIME

-🎯 Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI) reported a significant rise in consolidated net profit to ₹2,914.4 crore for Q2 ending September 2024, up from ₹65.73 crore in the same quarter last year. Total income increased to ₹21,491.23 crore from ₹21,161.89 crore, while expenses rose to ₹21,195 crore. Shareholders approved a dividend of ₹20.50 per share. SCI, India’s largest shipping firm and the sole transporter of LNG, saw its shares close at ₹212.40, down 4% on the BSE.

-♟️A meeting of the Navy and Coast Guard officers of India and Sri Lanka on November 6 discussed issues relating to the maritime security in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar, the safety of fishermen, among others. The International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) meeting was held on board the SLNSVijayabahu in the Palk Bay on November 6, a social media post of the Defence Ministry said on Thursday. Indian Navy's Rear Admiral R.K. Dhingra, Flag Officer Commanding, Tamil Nadu and Puducherty Naval area and Sri Lankan Navy's Rear Admiral S.J. Kumara, Commander North Central Naval Area chaired the meeting, it said.

AFFILIATES

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe