Concern remains high over disruptions to Gnss satellite systems, following an open letter from thirteen countries urging the European Commission to take action. Reports of interference are steadily increasing in Northern Europe, and the signal anomalies pose a serious risk to the safety of air, sea and road transport. Danwatch, a Danish news agency, has dubbed the Baltic Sea a Bermuda Triangle where vessels and aircraft vanish from radar screens. It suggested the disruptions may be facilitating the passage of Russian fighter jets through NATO airspace.
Similarly, Gnss interference is thought to assist in the movement of Russian “ghost ships”. A recent study by Polish researchers suggests that the anomalies originate from vessels operating in the Baltic Sea, particularly around the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Using a sensor installed at the Maritime University of Gdynia in northern Poland, the team monitored GPS signals for over six months starting last June, detecting disruptions lasting up to seven hours.
In recent weeks, one such incident brought operations at the port of Klaipeda in Lithuania to a standstill, with GPS outages making it impossible for ships to dock. The Lithuanian parliament also weighed in, with a statement from its speaker explaining that aircraft and ships across the Baltic are losing signals due to Russia’s efforts to shield Kaliningrad. “The Russians are protecting the Kaliningrad region from potential air attacks. The goal is not to harm or disrupt our aircraft bound for Lithuania, but to extend the protective zone around Kaliningrad.”
The Polish defence minister shares this view, telling Reuters that all available intelligence points to Russia as the source of the Gnss disruptions, either as a defensive measure or an act of sabotage. The minister added that the disturbances intensified last month with the launch of a large-scale NATO exercise, and even forced a commercial flight bound for Bydgoszcz to make an emergency landing in Poznan due to navigation system failures.
The impact of Gnss interference is particularly severe for lorry traffic and satellite systems in industrial vehicles. The lack of clear information and the technical complexity of the issue are causing widespread confusion among drivers in Northern Europe, who are increasingly confronted with tachograph malfunctions. Online forums and social media groups are flooded with questions from drivers unsure how to respond to “Gnss signal loss” warnings. However, the replies are often inaccurate or misleading, sometimes attributing the problem to vague manufacturing faults.
So what should drivers do when the signal is lost? First, it is vital to print out a tachograph report noting the signal issue and record the anomaly on the ticket. This documentation should be carefully kept in case of inspections. In addition, it is good practice to check the antenna placement and contact technical support for a device check. Acting promptly and precisely is key to avoiding fines or disputes during roadside checks.
Marco Martinelli
