🔍 What is Spoofing?
Spoofing involves transmitting false data to misrepresent a vessel’s identity or location. There are two main types, each with distinct origins and implications:
• GNSS Spoofing
GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) spoofing is typically caused by external actors, such as military or state-level entities. These actors emit counterfeit GPS-like signals to deceive a ship’s onboard navigation systems. It can confuse both the vessel and external tracking systems, placing the vessel in an incorrect position.
GNSS spoofing is commonly seen in wartime zones, military exercises, or geopolitical hotspots, and may affect multiple vessels simultaneously.
• AIS Spoofing
AIS (Automatic Identification System) spoofing is usually conducted by the vessel itself or its operator. It involves intentionally transmitting falsified AIS messages, such as:
Fake GPS coordinates
Falsified vessel identity (MMSI, name, call sign)
Duplicate transmissions to simulate “ghost” ships or mislead tracking systems
This is typically done to hide real movements and evade detection.
⚠️ Why It Happens
GNSS Spoofing
Used by military or government entities to disrupt maritime awareness during conflicts or to protect sensitive assets
Common in areas under military occupation, airspace defense zones, or regions near active hostilities
Affects multiple ships at once, regardless of intent
AIS Spoofing
Used to intentionally disguise vessel activity, often to conceal:
Sanctions evasion
Illegal ship-to-ship (STS) transfers
IUU fishing
Smuggling and trafficking
Hot zones include: Strait of Hormuz, Black Sea, Gulf of Oman, South China Sea, Eastern Mediterranean
👀 What You Might See on MarineTraffic
Spoofing often shows up as anomalies on the map, such as:
Vessels “jumping” across oceans
Duplicate vessels with identical names or MMSIs in distant areas
Ships anchored at sea with no port calls for long durations
Unrealistic voyage durations between ports
Interference pattern of GNSS jamming in the Red Sea Port Sudan area in May 2025 - MarineTraffic.
Stationary circular pattern example - MarineTraffic.
Erratic loitering example - MarineTraffic.
A fabricated vessel trajectory that lasted for a period of 5 months - MarineTraffic.
PIONEER (now SPUTNIK ENERGY) spoofing her position back in July 2024 - MarineTraffic.
🛠️ How MarineTraffic Detects and Manages Spoofing
MarineTraffic applies both automated and human intelligence to flag suspicious activity:
Anomaly detection (e.g. position jumps, unnatural speeds)
Cross-checks with satellite imagery and known vessel behaviour
Behavioral models to spot spoofing patterns
Manual investigations by our Risk & Compliance team
🟡 Spoofed signals are still shown on the map, as they offer valuable intelligence. They are flagged internally and excluded from analytics and reporting when confirmed.
🌟 Risk & Compliance Intelligence Now Available
MarineTraffic now offers access to a new Risk & Compliance service, designed for customers who need more than just vessel tracking:
Sanction Risk Detection: Identifies vessels tied to sanction lists or PSC bans
Management Risk Assessment: Screens ownership and operating entities
Operational Risk Monitoring: Highlights suspicious or deceptive patterns
Flag Risk Analysis (coming soon): Measures risk by flag state profile
Compliance Tab: A 360° vessel risk profile, visible on the Vessel Details page
Color-Coded Risk Indicators: Instantly assess risk (Red: Sanctioned, Yellow: Risky, Green: Clear)
Global Coverage: Extends across IMO-registered vessels with new types being added
📩 Speak with your CSM to learn more or request a demo.
✅ What You Can Do
Use the “Report an Issue” form to flag suspicious activity
Contact our team for tailored analysis or support available for our Risk & Compliance customers
🚧 Coming Soon
We’re building new tools for greater control over spoofed data:
“Clean Tracks” Toggle – Filter out spoofed AIS positions on demand
Regional Spoofing Heatmaps – Visualize spoofing risks by zone
Spoofing Alerts – Get notified of risky behavior across your fleet
For further help, contact your account manager or support team. Your awareness is key in navigating today’s complex maritime data environment.