GPS Jamming Affects MSC Antonia

A container vessel operated by the **Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)** ran aground near **Jeddah**, a high-risk maritime region, due to suspected **GPS spoofing**—a cyberattack where false GPS signals deceive a ship’s navigation systems. This incident underscores escalating threats in politically sensitive zones, where adversaries manipulate positioning data to disrupt or misdirect vessels. While the vessel’s grounding did not result in immediate casualties, environmental damage, or cargo loss, the attack exposes critical vulnerabilities in global maritime cybersecurity.The incident raises concerns over **operational disruptions**, potential **financial losses** from delayed shipments, and **reputational harm** to MSC’s safety record. If confirmed as a deliberate cyberattack, it could erode trust among shipping partners and regulators, particularly in regions prone to geopolitical tensions. Investigations are ongoing to determine the attack’s origin and broader implications for **maritime navigation safety**, including risks to crew, cargo, and regional trade stability. The attack also highlights the need for robust cyber-defense mechanisms in an industry increasingly targeted by state-sponsored or criminal actors exploiting GPS vulnerabilities.

Source: https://x.com/WindwardAI/status/1921924400393200001

TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/resilient-navigation-and-timing-foundation

"id": "res655092125",
"linkid": "resilient-navigation-and-timing-foundation",
"type": "Cyber Attack",
"date": "5/2025",
"severity": "60",
"impact": "2",
"explanation": "Attack limited on finance or reputation"

{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Logistics/Transportation',
                        'location': 'Near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Incident '
                                    'Location); Headquarters: Geneva, '
                                    'Switzerland',
                        'name': 'Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)',
                        'type': 'Maritime Shipping Company'}],
 'attack_vector': 'GPS Signal Manipulation',
 'description': 'A Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) container vessel ran '
                'aground near Jeddah and is suspected to have been a victim of '
                'GPS spoofing. The incident occurred in a high-risk region for '
                'maritime navigation interference, raising concerns over the '
                'manipulation of positioning systems. Experts suggest the '
                'ship’s navigation may have been deceived by false GPS '
                'signals, a tactic increasingly observed in politically '
                'sensitive maritime zones. Investigations are ongoing to '
                'confirm the cause and assess the implications for vessel '
                'safety in the region.',
 'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': ['Potential Reputation Damage Due to '
                                        'Safety Concerns'],
            'operational_impact': ['Vessel Grounding',
                                   'Navigation Disruption',
                                   'Potential Safety Risks'],
            'systems_affected': ['GPS Navigation System']},
 'investigation_status': 'Ongoing',
 'response': {'recovery_measures': ['Ongoing Investigations to Confirm Cause']},
 'title': 'Suspected GPS Spoofing Incident Affecting MSC Container Vessel Near '
          'Jeddah',
 'type': 'GPS Spoofing / Maritime Cyber Incident',
 'vulnerability_exploited': 'Weakness in GPS Navigation System '
                            'Authentication/Encryption'}