Why Thousands Of Cargo Ships In Gulf Are Facing GPS Disruptions Amid West Asia War | Explained

Last Updated:March 08, 2026, 18:36 IST

US-Israeli strikes caused GPS jamming, leaving 1,000 ships in the Gulf and Gulf of Oman unable to locate themselves. Half the vessels off UAE and Oman are affected.

Widespread GPS jamming has left over 1,000 cargo ships, oil tankers and other vessels in the Gulf and Gulf of Oman unable to determine their exact location since the start of US‑Israeli-Iran war last week.

Experts say the problem is worse than many realise, with most ships relying on outdated GPS systems that cannot tap into modern satellite networks like Galileo or BeiDou.

The majority of affected vessels are located off the coasts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, raising concerns about navigation safety in one of the world’s busiest maritime regions.

ALSO READ: 37 Indian-Flagged Ships With Over 1,100 Seafarers Stranded Near Hormuz Amid West Asia Tensions

Outdated Systems

Many ships still depend on the original civilian GPS signal, known as the L1 C/A band, which has been in use since the 1990s.

“Most ships are unable to rely on alternative satellite systems in the event that GPS is jammed," Todd Humphreys, an engineering professor at the University of Texas at Austin, told news agency AFP.

Unlike smartphones, which use multiple frequencies and satellite networks, ships’ navigation systems are relatively basic, leaving them vulnerable to signal interference.

“You will not find any aircraft flying in the world today whose built-in GPS receiver is capable of tracking and interpreting signals other than the GPS L1 C/A. So it’s out of date by 15 years," Humphreys added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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