Lost at Sea: GPS Spoofing Threats to Maritime Shipping

Abstract

As global shipping increasingly depends on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), cybersecurity threats that
target maritime navigation systems have rapidly become a growing concern. Maritime GPS spoofing has significant
implications for global trade and safety as false position data can lead to route deviations, collisions, or even cargo theft. To
gain a better understanding of these risks, this research analyzes real-world datasets to determine how spoofed signals can
influence vessel navigation accuracy under different signal to noise conditions. By analyzing real-world AIS and GNSS logs,
the study identifies localized anomalies consistent with spoofing or interference. This research investigates GPS spoofing
attacks on commercial vessels and assesses real-world vulnerabilities to propose and develop effective countermeasures.
Using data collected from Automatic Identification System (AIS) and GNSS receiver logs, the study measures the impact of
spoofed signals on ship positioning accuracy and identifies potential weaknesses in onboard navigation procedures. The
project also explores policy and training aspects by proposing updated cybersecurity protocols for ship crews and
recommending that maritime authorities integrate spoofing detection into standard navigation safety audits. Based on this
analysis, the project proposes low cost detection and mitigation strategies, which includes anomaly detection indicators and
onboard incident response frameworks. The findings aim to improve awareness of GPS spoofing risks, strengthen maritime
cybersecurity policy, and provide training guidelines for ship operators to reduce the likelihood of navigation manipulation,
hijacking, and information theft. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the broader understanding of how
cyberattacks intersect with physical infrastructure in the maritime domain. It emphasizes that cybersecurity at sea is not only
a technical challenge but also an organizational and policy issue requiring coordinated international action. The outcomes
are expected to strengthen industry resilience, improve situational awareness, and support the development of
comprehensive maritime cybersecurity frameworks that safeguard both economic and human interests.