In an industry where precision is paramount, the recent collaboration between NAL Research, SGM Technology AS, and Tschudi Shipping Company marks a significant step towards addressing the growing challenges to maritime safety and asset visibility. The partnership, announced earlier this month, aims to deliver a resilient navigation and tracking solution for commercial shipping vessels, leveraging Iridium’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. This move comes as threats to Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are reaching unprecedented levels, with maritime authorities reporting a 350% increase in affected vessels over the past six months, according to NorthStandard.
The collaboration is a response to the urgent need for reliable asset tracking and assured navigation in high-risk maritime environments. Threats such as jamming, spoofing, and interference are leading to serious consequences, including collisions, delays, financial impacts on global trade, and heightened security risks for crews at sea. The partnership brings together NAL Research’s 25+ years of expertise in Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT), tracking, and connectivity, SGM’s 15+ years of experience in delivering technology to the commercial maritime sector, and Tschudi Shipping Company’s global presence and 140+ years in commercial shipping and logistics.
“Protection against GPS vulnerabilities is no longer a nice-to-have, but a necessity to ensure operational success and asset safety,” said NAL Research President, Robert Bills. Through this collaborative effort, we are aiming to achieve complete global situational awareness and increase safety at sea for our commercial maritime customers, even in the most remote and challenging situations.”
The partnership will leverage NAL Research’s expertise in APNT, tracking, and connectivity to develop solutions built on the Iridium® PNT service, a powerful and fully authenticated L-band signal resilient to spoofing and jamming. This collaboration aims to provide maritime users with unmatched resilience and reliable navigation for GPS/GNSS-compromised environments. Trials of this state-of-the-art solution are currently underway.
Steffen Grefsgård, CEO of SGM Technology AS, emphasized the growing reality of GPS jamming and spoofing, stating, “Ensuring navigational safety is critical, not just for protecting cargo and vessels, but for safeguarding the lives of seafarers who rely on precise and trustworthy systems every day.” At SGM Technology, we are committed to developing robust solutions that help mitigate these risks and maintain the integrity of maritime operations.”
Felix Tschudi, Chairman of Tschudi Group, highlighted the evolution of maritime navigation and the unprecedented technological threats posed by GPS jamming and spoofing. “These disruptions pose a serious risk to vessel safety, crew welfare, and the reliability of global trade routes. The industry must act collectively to address these vulnerabilities to protect maritime personnel and assets.”
Iridium Vice President of PNT, Rohit Braggs, expressed pride in supporting this vital service in the critically important maritime markets. “Iridium PNT-enabled technologies are available today and provide trusted location services for high-value assets—and more importantly, help to keep mariners safe.”
This collaboration is poised to shape future developments in the maritime sector by setting a new standard for resilient navigation and tracking solutions. As the industry grapples with increasing threats to GPS and GNSS signals, this partnership demonstrates a proactive approach to enhancing maritime safety and security. The successful implementation of this solution could pave the way for broader adoption of APNT technologies, ultimately leading to safer and more efficient maritime operations worldwide.
The maritime industry is no stranger to challenges, but the proactive stance taken by NAL Research, SGM Technology AS, and Tschudi Shipping Company in addressing GPS vulnerabilities is a testament to their commitment to innovation and safety. As the trials progress and the solution is refined, it will be interesting to see how this collaboration influences the broader maritime landscape and inspires other industry players to prioritize resilience in navigation and tracking technologies.