Instability in key regional areas can affect global commercial trade including maritime activities and traffic. The Black Sea is a strategic trade and transportation artery, which connects Europe and Asia. Recent tensions and increased naval activity within the Black Sea and Sea of Azov could pose a risk to commercial vessels operating in these areas.

Restrictions to freedom of trade and even to the freedom of navigation in the mentioned areas should not be ruled out. If the situation deteriorates, new firing exercises areas may be declared and the hailing of military vessels transiting the area could be experienced. Differing Maritime Security Information might also be received depending on the broadcasting station.

In addition, cases of significant GPS interference, AIS spoofing, and/or other communications jamming could be experienced in the maritime domain. The GPS signal can be vulnerable to intentional and unintentional disruption, such as jamming and spoofing. This interference may cause lost or inaccurate GPS signals which could affect navigation and other GPS fed equipment. If a GPS loss of signal is experienced, vessels must adopt alternative positioning systems or even stop their transit untilsafe navigation is restored.

Areas marked in red are likely to experience GPS jamming and/or other EM interferences.

The NATO Shipping Centre, as the primary point of contact in NATO for the merchant shipping community, is closely monitoring the events to provide timely and accurate maritime security information.

As initial prudent measures, commercial vessels operating in the subject area are advised to exercise caution, conduct risk assessments, review security measures, and incorporate appropriate protective measures into their vessel security plans.

In the event of any incident or suspicious activity, commercial vessels are encouraged to notify the NATO Shipping Centre via:

Email:info@shipping.nato.int.This information is key to provide relevant and accurate MSI and advice.

Telephone: +44 (0) 1923-956574

Fax: +44 (0) 1923-95657

Timely maritime awareness updates will be provided by NATO Shipping Centre at https://shipping.nato.int/nsc.

Electromagnetic incidents must be informed in accordance with following format:

/1/DTG (DATA TIME GROUP)/UNIT LAT/ LONG POSITION AT REPORTING TIME//

/2/TRACK WHILE OBSERVING INTERFERENCES/FROM LAT/LONG-TO LAT/ LONG//

/3/DURATION WHILE OBSERVING INTERFERENCES − START AND END TIME//

/4/INTEFERENCE TYPE (SYSTEMS AFFECTED AND HOW)//

/5/ASSESED DIRECTION OR COVERAGE AREA OF INTERFERENCE//

/6/NAVIGATION – SECONDARY MODES OF NAVIGATION USAGE AND ACCURACY VS GPS SYSTEMS//

/7/COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AFFECTED

/8/OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF OBSERVATIONS – PROVIDE FREE TEXT COMMENT ON THE EVENT AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED INTERESTING.