MARAD issues maritime security update: precautions and resources

The U.S. Maritime Administration has issued an advisory regarding the update for the maritime industry, addressing several key areas of concern.

GPS Interference Precautions:

• Mariners are advised to report instances of suspected GPS interference to the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) and develop plans to respond to disruptions before setting sail.
• Reporting GPS outages to NAVCEN is crucial for real-time dissemination of information to the NATO Shipping Centre, ensuring awareness among maritime stakeholders.
• Additionally, it highlights the vulnerabilities of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to spoofing and cyber threats, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity best practices.

Cybersecurity Resources:

• The advisory directs maritime industry stakeholders to the Maritime Industry Cybersecurity Resource Center for trusted tools and resources to protect against cyber threats.
• It underscores the significance of multi-factor authentication in safeguarding the Marine Transportation System (MTS) from cyberattacks.

Threat Reports and Publications:

• It mentions the Office of Naval Intelligence's (ONI) weekly reports on piracy and armed robbery at sea, providing valuable insights into global maritime security threats.
• The advisory also highlights NGA's Publication No. 117, which offers essential communication and navigational information for mariners.

Sanctions Information:

• It provides links to resources on economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of State, which may impact maritime trade.
• The advisory outlines the consequences of sanctions evasion and offers guidance on navigating compliance requirements.

Travel Advisories and Health Notices:

• It directs mariners to U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories and U.S. Centers for Disease Control Travel Notices for safety and health information relevant to overseas travel.
• Highlighting the potential impact on maritime interests, especially during crew changes and passenger embarkation/disembarkation, it advises mariners to stay informed about health threats.

Maritime Security Best Practices:

• The advisory promotes the Maritime Global Security website as a resource for industry-issued best practices and regional maritime security guidance, particularly in high-risk areas.

The advisory is active from April 16, 2024, to October 12, 2024.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Global-U.S. Maritime Advisory Updates, Resources, and Contacts