On January 26, 2026, fourteen European coastal states issued a formal letter to the international maritime community addressing critical threats to shipping safety in the Baltic and North Sea regions.
Navigation System Interference
According to the letter, GNSS interference originating from the Russian Federation is degrading the safety of international shipping in European waters, particularly in the Baltic Sea region. The disruption affects satellite-based positioning that modern maritime transport has relied upon for three decades. Additionally, GNSS signals also provide time synchronisation for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, meaning interference affects emergency communications and rescue coordination. As a result, all vessels are at risk.
Furthermore, Automatic Identification Systems are also being manipulated. Spoofing or falsifying AIS data increases accident risk and hampers rescue operations.
Calls to the Maritime Community
In response to these threats, the signatories call on national authorities and the maritime industry to:
- Recognise GNSS interference and AIS manipulation as threats to maritime safety and security
- Ensure vessels have adequate backup capabilities and properly trained crews to operate during navigation system outages
- Cooperate on developing alternative terrestrial radionavigation systems for use when satellite signals are disrupted
Commenting on the joint statement, Saleem Khan, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Pole Star Global, said: “Ensuring resilient navigation systems is no longer optional, it’s an essential defense mechanism for maritime safety. Today’s threat landscape continues to evolve and this statement is an important warning for all maritime operators.”
Shadow Fleet Operations
In addition to navigation threats, the letter addresses shadow fleet vessels used to circumvent international sanctions, noting these ships often fail to meet basic safety standards. Indeed, the governments emphasise that safe shipping requires full implementation of International Maritime Organization regulations.
Compliance Requirements for Vessels in European Waters
Specifically, all vessels exercising freedom of navigation must comply with IMO conventions including SOLAS, MARPOL, COLREG, and UNCLOS. In particular, the letter specifies:
Vessel Documentation and Management
- Vessels shall sail under the flag of only one State and vessels that sail under the flags of two or more states, using them according to convenience, may be treated as a ship without nationality, as according to UNCLOS Article 92.
- Vessels must maintain valid documentation and certification according to the above-mentioned IMO conventions, including but not limited to insurance or other financial security in accordance with the rules laid down in Article VII of the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and Article 7 of the 2001 Bunker Convention.
- Companies must maintain a safety management system onboard the vessels operated, according to SOLAS Chapter IX (International Safety Management code).
- Flag States shall take any steps which may be necessary in order to ensure that ships flying their flag only proceed to sea in compliance with the requirements of the international rules and standards, including investigations for the maintenance of ships’ condition after survey according to UNCLOS art. 94 and 217 and SOLAS Regulation I/11.
Navigation and Communication
- Vessels, when underway, shall comply with the applicable requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), SOLAS Regulation V/14, and Rule 5 of the COLREGs regarding bridge watchkeeping and lookout.
- Vessels shall maintain the AIS and the Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) equipment continuously in operation according to SOLAS V/19.2.4.7 and A.1106(29) and SOLAS V/19-1.5.
- Vessels must provide information about ship identification and any other required information when entering an area covered by a ship reporting system according to SOLAS V/11.7.
- Vessels must maintain clear communication with relevant maritime authorities including in communication regarding Ship Reporting Systems (SRS) and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) (SOLAS V/11.7 SOLAS V/12.4 (VTS)).
Routing and Operations
- Vessels shall comply with local navigation restrictions and any mandatory ships’ routeing systems adopted by IMO in accordance with SOLAS chapter V, regulation 10.7.
- Other IMO-adopted routing measures and areas to be avoided designated under IMO and HELCOM frameworks shall be taken into account as appropriate for safe navigation.
- Vessels shall not conduct ship-to-ship transfers without sufficient and timely notification to the coastal state in whose exclusive economic zone the transfer is to take place (MARPOL Annex I, Reg. 42).
- Vessels shall carry onboard flag approved ship-to-ship operations plans according to MARPOL Convention Annex I Reg. 41.
Environmental Compliance
- Vessels shall carry on board shipboard oil and marine pollution emergency plans as required by the MARPOL Convention (Annex I Reg. 37, Annex II, Reg. 17).
- Vessels must report incidents involving discharges of oil and other harmful substances as required by international and national rules. (MARPOL art. 8 and Protocol I, International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation 1990, art. 4, Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances 2000, art. 3).
Signatories
The fourteen signatories include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Notably, Keir Mather MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, signed the UK letter.
Implications
Consequently, vessels operating in European waters face heightened scrutiny of compliance with international maritime conventions, particularly regarding navigation system integrity, documentation, safety management, and environmental protection.