Not every false position at sea is a red flag. GNSS interference now affects whole regions, while deliberate AIS spoofing is a vessel-level act, and the two can produce near-identical tracks. Treating them alike risks turning a regional disruption into a compliance accusation, or missing genuine concealment.
Drawing on over 900 sanctioned vessels from 2025 to 2026, this whitepaper sets out how to distinguish the two.
Key takeaways
- Attribution comes first. Regional GNSS interference and deliberate AIS spoofing can look identical, so respond to the evidence of cause, not the abnormal track.
- Corroborate beyond GNSS. Onboard systems often share one bad input. Escalate only as far as independent evidence supports.
- Spoofing is an early signal, not proof. It preceded designation in 36.3% of sanctioned vessels in Kpler's sample, often alongside other deceptive behaviour.
Access our free whitepaper to gain valuable industry insights:
“I rely on the Kpler Whitepapers to stay ahead of the latest market trends and industry insights.”
Michael Rodriguez
Chief Strategy Officer, Global Trade Inc
Known from...
%201.svg)
