Even though a deal was announced to stop attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the area remains unsafe. Ships sailing through this region are still facing serious problems.
Ongoing Threats Despite Announcements
One of the biggest threats is coming from something invisible — interference with GPS signals. GPS, which helps ships know exactly where they are, is no longer working properly in many cases.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) recently reported that problems have continued in the Red Sea since March 2025. They mentioned that there has been “kinetic activity” near the Port of Al Hudaydah in Yemen. This means there are still attacks or military strikes happening in that area.
Ships near the shore or near port facilities, especially within 1,000 meters, are at a higher risk. If a ship tries to dock or hasn’t left the port already, it might get caught in the middle of dangerous situations. The UKMTO has advised ship operators to be extremely careful. They need to think seriously about whether it is safe to continue traveling in that part of the sea.
Even if a ship is not directly targeted, it can still be harmed by damage happening nearby. This is known as “collateral damage,” and it can happen suddenly if there’s an explosion or missile strike nearby. Because of this, the area is now considered risky for any ship trying to operate there.
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GPS Interference Causes Serious Problems
Besides the danger of attacks, there is another issue troubling ships in the Red Sea — their navigation systems are not working right. GPS signals are getting blocked or messed up. This is causing a lot of trouble for captains who rely on these systems to guide their ships safely.
According to UKMTO, many ships operating in the Red Sea have reported their GPS systems being jammed or disrupted. In some cases, the disruptions last for several hours. During this time, ships cannot trust the information shown on their screens. As a result, they have to depend on backup methods, like using maps, compasses, and manual calculations, to figure out where they are.
GPS interference in the Red Sea doesn’t just make it hard to know the location. It can also cause other systems to stop working. For example, ships use something called AIS (Automatic Identification System) to show their position to other ships. This helps avoid collisions. If GPS and AIS stop working, then ships might accidentally move into dangerous areas or crash into each other.
UKMTO has requested that all ship captains who face this problem in the Red Sea report it to their watchkeepers. This helps experts understand how widespread the problem is and where it is happening the most.
When the GPS is being jammed or spoofed, the ship might suddenly appear to jump to a different location on its digital map. Sometimes, the ship may even seem to move at a strange speed, even when it’s not. These are signs that something is wrong with the signal.
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Global Pattern of Disruptions
This problem is not limited to the Red Sea. The United States Coast Guard Navigation Center has noted that GPS interference is happening in many parts of the world. It has been reported in the eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Persian Gulf, and near the coastal waters of China. This kind of interference is increasing and becoming a serious issue for the shipping industry.
The equipment used on ships depends heavily on GNSS — Global Navigation Satellite System — which includes GPS. When the signals are jammed or faked, the ship’s system may stop showing its real position. This can be very dangerous, especially when a ship is close to the shore or other ships.
Ship captains are trained to notice these problems. For example, they may see alarms on their equipment saying the position is lost. On systems like ECDIS — a type of electronic map — the ship may appear to be moving fast or in the wrong direction. There might also be a mismatch between the RADAR and the digital chart.
When this happens, ships have no choice but to switch to traditional methods. They may use paper maps, RADAR, or visual checks to stay on course. These methods are slower and more difficult, but they are the only option when digital systems fail.
In the Red Sea, where military activity is ongoing and GPS jamming is increasing, this adds another layer of risk for vessels. Ships must now handle both physical dangers and technical problems at the same time. Operators are being told to be very cautious, and many are now thinking twice before passing through the area.
