A vessel captain has reported “electronic interference” in navigation systems during a Middle East Gulf passage.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the incident took place over two hours from 11pm on Tuesday, 95 nautical miles (176 km) east of Ras Al Zour in Saudi Arabia.
The unnamed ship experienced disruption to electronic navigation systems, UKMTO added, including its GPS and AIS.
“Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any irregular activity to UKMTO,” the UK operation said.
Security company Ambrey Analytics told TradeWinds it had also received a separate report of GPS disruption to a vessel off Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
These are not the first such incidents in the region.
Electronic interference can also be caused by the presence of warships, Ambrey explained.
There can be AIS “spoofing” in the area to avoid sanctions too, the company said.
Ambrey believes the latest incidents are unlikely to be Houthi-linked, adding that some states will use counter-electronic warfare measures that throw off GPS.
Relative calm
“It can interfere with navigation, and crews resort to manual methods. In busy shipping lanes this can increase the risk of a safety incident,” a spokesman said.
The Red Sea has been relatively quiet in the past week in terms of Houthi attacks.
Africa Risk Compliance (ARC) said that on 1 April there was a call to alter course received by the master of a passenger ship 150 nautical miles north-west of Hodeidah in Yemen.
The ship was contacted by an entity claiming to be the Yemeni navy.
The vessel was asked to turn on its AIS.
Shortly afterwards, a crew member reported hearing suspected gunshots.
A cabin window was cracked on the port side after the incident, but it was not confirmed whether the damage was the result of this attack.
The vessel and crew were reported safe.
Piracy in the region has also been resurgent in recent months.
ARC said a fishing vessel was hijacked off Yemen’s Socotra island on 28 March.
The Indian navy forced the surrender of the pirates after a 12-hour operation.
