The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is a fundamental component of maritime transport safety, enabling distress, urgency, and safety communications between ships and shore authorities. While the system has proven effective in improving operational safety at sea, its security dimension remains largely under-addressed 1 The open nature of GMDSS communication channels, together with limited mechanisms for sender authentication and message validation, exposes ship communication systems to misuse by unauthorized users, false distress alerts, and manipulation of maritime safety information. These vulnerabilities generate operational risks, economic consequences, and increased workload for maritime authorities and ship crews. The objective of this contribution is to examine how security challenges related to ship communication systems should be addressed from a systemic maritime transport perspective 2. Rather than focusing on individual technical solutions or equipment upgrades, the paper aims to frame GMDSS security as a transport-level issue that requires coordinated consideration of technological, procedural, human, and regulatory elements. The study is based on a qualitative analysis of documented incidents, relevant scientific literature, and regulatory frameworks related to GMDSS operation and maritime communication practices 3. Particular attention is given to identifying recurring patterns of vulnerability affecting both voice and data communication, including identity substitution, ambiguity in information credibility, and procedural inconsistencies during distress and safety communications 4. The analysis indicates that many security-related failures of ship communication systems arise not from technical malfunction, but from systemic gaps in communication governance, message validation procedures, and the integration of security considerations into operational decision-making. Voice and data communication channels exhibit distinct but interconnected vulnerabilities that are insufficiently addressed within current maritime communication practices 5. This paper argues that improving the security of ship communication systems requires a holistic approach that treats GMDSS security as an integral component of resilient maritime transport systems. By outlining a structured way of addressing communication security through threat classification, procedural alignment, and regulatory and training considerations, the study contributes to ongoing discussions on the future evolution of maritime communication systems. The proposed perspective supports the development of coordinated strategies that enhance security without compromising the fundamental objectives of maritime safety and efficiency.
Ivančić et al. (Mon,) studied this question.