Combatting deceptive shipping practices with world-class data: a short guide on AIS spoofing and jamming

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Deceptive shipping practices have always existed in the maritime industry, from the falsification of bills of lading and cargo documentation to the physical manipulation of ship identifiers (such as flag and IMO number). However, as a result of world conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine War, illicit actors have now resorted to more sophisticated and elusive techniques. 

For example, in August 2024, satellite images showed the Palau-flagged, 2005-built Pioneer (IMO: 9256602) making the inaugural call at Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project on August 1, while it was signalling its location in the Barents Sea, pretending to be elsewhere through a case of AIS spoofing. In March 2024, Russia used GPS jamming to protect its assets and further obscure maritime activity in the Black Sea.

One thing has become clear: bad actors have continued to innovate and, in some instances, have outpaced regulators. As a result, companies cannot rely on regulatory bodies to identify and prevent illicit activities; anyone working with maritime trade must conduct robust compliance checks to adequately protect themselves from financial consequences.

This article, the second in our Data Differentiators series, will explore what deceptive shipping practices you should look out for. We’ll also discuss the role of world-class data and analytics in swiftly and precisely identifying these practices.

What are deceptive shipping practices and why are they on the rise?

Deceptive shipping practices are strategies employed by some actors to evade regulations while conducting illicit activities such as oil smuggling, shipping restricted dual-use goods, and more.

These practices, historically observed in trade with countries such as Venezuela, Iran, Syria, and North Korea, have now become widespread in the shipping of Russian oil – particularly in areas where AIS spoofing is prevalent such as the Kerch Strait and Angola. This is a direct consequence of the tightening economic pressure placed on Russia by Western countries in recent years.

What’s being done about it?

Regulatory bodies have long been monitoring the rise of deceptive shipping practices. In May 2020, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) outlined seven key deceptive techniques commonly employed by sanctions evaders to conceal illicit trade:

1. Disabling or manipulating AIS: Vessels engaged in illicit activities sometimes disable AIS transponders or manipulate transmitted data to mask movements.
2. Physically altering vessel identification: Illicit actors can paint over vessel names and IMO numbers to obscure their identities.
3. Falsifying cargo and vessel documents: Shipping documentation – especially for petroleum, petrochemicals, metals, or sand – has a higher likelihood of being falsified. 
4. Ship-to-ship transfers: Transfers at sea, especially at night or in high-risk areas, can be used to evade sanctions by concealing the origin or destination of cargo.
5. Voyage irregularities: The destination or origin of cargo can be obscured through indirect routing or unscheduled detours.
6. False flags and flag hopping: Vessel flags may be falsified to conceal illicit trade.
7. Complex ownership or management: Illicit actors may take advantage of intricate business arrangements involving shell companies to avoid accountability for any wrongdoing. 

This was the first time US authorities formally established their expectations on what private organisations involved in the maritime sector must adhere to, as part of a “risk-based” approach. This underscores the fact that rudimentary list screening for sanctioned entities and vessels is no longer sufficient.

Since the Russia-Ukraine War, additional recommendations aimed at helping businesses avoid breaching sanctions regulations related to Russia have been issued.

In February 2023, OFAC issued an alert stating it was aware of reports indicating that ESPO and other crudes exported via Pacific ports in the Russian Federation might be trading above the oil price cap.

These transactions can involve services from US providers, who may be unaware of this breach because the non-US parties may have engaged in AIS spoofing.

What is spoofing?

Spoofing is a form of AIS manipulation where false data is intentionally transmitted to deceive others about a vessel's location.

This deceptive shipping practice is problematic for two main reasons.

1. Firstly, it’s increasingly common, particularly among Russian vessels attempting to conceal activities related to crude exports and grain shipments from seized Ukrainian territories. This is supported by our Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, which reveals a significant increase of over 50% in spoofing incidents from 2022 to 2023 alone.
2. Secondly, spoofing is extremely hard to detect manually because of its sophisticated nature. Compliance professionals must carefully scrutinise AIS data for inconsistencies and anomalies, which can be subtle and easily overlooked.

Fortunately, compliance teams can overcome this issue with advanced maritime intelligence. For instance, Lloyd’s List Intelligence data and analytics can easily identify intricate anomalies within AIS messages. These anomalies can be identified by analysing reported GPS positions and speed against the calculated feasibility of distance, speed, and time.

How is it different to jamming?

Spoofing and jamming are not interchangeable terms.

The former involves the deliberate transmission of false AIS data to mislead others about a vessel's location.

The latter involves the disruption of AIS signals, which occurs when GNSS frequencies are interfered with. GNSS frequencies are specific radio frequencies allocated for satellite navigation.

This interference can be intentional, aimed at disrupting communication and military tracking systems reliant on GPS navigation. But it can also be unintentional due to factors such as space weather or faulty equipment.

Detecting deceptive shipping practices with accuracy

Our ability to reliably detect deceptive shipping practices (including, but not limited to spoofing and jamming) stems from our commitment to using complete and accurate data.

What sets our data quality apart is the added value provided by two networks: our proprietary terrestrial AIS network and the Lloyd’s Agency Network.

Our proprietary terrestrial AIS network

We own, operate, and maintain our AIS network to ensure the highest standards of quality, completeness, and accuracy in data collection and analysis. This guarantees high-quality data and insights that our clients can depend on.

Our AIS stations are placed in strategic locations, such as major shipping routes and conflict zones, to cover all critical areas and offer a comprehensive view. This setup allows us to continuously monitor signals and maintain data accuracy through regular checks and strict quality control.

The Lloyd’s Agency Network

No automated system is infallible. Errors can occur due to technical glitches, signal interference, or deliberate tampering.

For this reason, we work with Lloyd’s Agency Network agents to further enhance the accuracy and reliability of our AIS data. The agents host a large proportion of our terrestrial network and provide eyes on the ground.

The Lloyd’s Agency Network combines a global reach with local expertise, providing us with real-time insights and on-the-ground verification. Its agents are strategically located in key maritime hubs and ports, allowing them to cross-check data directly and report any discrepancies. This ensures that our data is enriched with a necessary layer of human validation.

Get reliable insights with world-class data and analytics from Lloyd’s List Intelligence

No other maritime intelligence provider uses our approach. While other solutions may rely on 'spotter networks' as an alternative to the Lloyd's Agency Network, our combination of experts on the ground and best-in-class proprietary technology gives us a unique edge.

When you integrate Lloyd’s List Intelligence into your operations, you benefit from real-time, validated data and analytics that empowers you to make timely, informed decisions and maintain regulatory compliance. You also have access to our Ask the Analyst service of experts.

To learn more about how our data can help you identify deceptive shipping practices and stay compliant, visit our webpage.