Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures (1) they, and (2) the International Maritime Organization, are taking to prevent Russia using the NAVTEX system to spread false information.

NAVTEX is a maritime communication system and is a conduit for safety messages enshrined in the Safety of Life at Sea international convention devoted to the perseveration of life at sea.

The UK is deeply concerned with the Russian Federation’s use of NAVTEX for disinformation messaging with regard to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The misuse of NAVTEX to broadcast propaganda endangers merchant shipping operating in the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It is another example of the Russia Federation ignoring the responsibilities and behaviours a respectable nation state should demonstrate.

On 18 March, the UK wrote to the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation to protest at this wholly inappropriate use of NAVTEX and urged IMO Member States to condemn Russia’s actions.