#Norway #Maritime Security #PntGuard #GNSS Spoofing #Lysekil

Introduction to PntGuard™

Tschudi Shipping Company, along with NAL Research and SGM Technology AS, has recently introduced PntGuard™, a groundbreaking security solution designed for the maritime sector. This innovative product addresses the ever-increasing concerns surrounding the reliability of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signals, which are increasingly vulnerable to spoofing and jamming. As vessels increasingly depend on GNSS-based navigation, the integrity of these signals is crucial for safe maritime operations.

Increasing Threat of Electronic Warfare

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in malicious interference with GNSS/GPS signals, posing substantial risks to maritime operations. Attacks could be launched from terrestrial systems, adversarial vessels, or even opportunistically in congested maritime routes. The manipulation of a vessel's location without the crew's awareness can have strategic implications, leading to dire physical, commercial, and legal repercussions. Attackers can mislead vessels by thousands of kilometers from their actual location using low-cost equipment, triggering a cascade of errors across navigation systems, which endangers crew safety.

Risks Involved

The consequences of GNSS spoofing are harrowing and varied:

• - Collisions and Grounding: Particularly hazardous during low visibility, at night, or in crowded shipping lanes, these situations can jeopardize lives, property, and the environment.
• - Unauthorized Breaches: Vessels may inadvertently enter restricted waters, leading to potential legal ramifications.
• - Sanctions Evasion Claims: This can result in severe implications for compliance and operational credibility.
• - Logistics Disruptions: Diversions due to false positioning can increase delays, fuel consumption, and emissions.
• - Insurance Disputes: When vessels appear to breach compliance limits, it can lead to contentious freight disputes and insurance claims.

There is growing alarm within the maritime industry, and leading maritime insurers are advocating for urgent measures to enhance operational resilience.

PntGuard™ Features

Utilizing Advanced Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) technology, PntGuard™ stands out as the most robust solution available today. Unlike many existing systems that merely alert users to GNSS/GPS disruptions, PntGuard™ offers an authenticated, alternative positioning system. By harnessing the power of the Iridium® Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, PntGuard™ provides a secure PNT signal that is roughly 1,000 times more potent than standard GNSS/GPS signals, thereby offering significant resistance to interference and spoofing.

Installation and Functionality

The installation of PntGuard™ is simple and efficient. The system comprises two units: an above-deck receiver that connects to the Iridium PNT service and a below-deck display that indicates both the falsified GPS route and the vessel's true position on a nautical chart in real-time. This dual system not only enhances situational awareness but also alerts the crew immediately upon detection of any manipulation or disruption.

Ensuring Safety and Compliance

Often, crews may not notice GNSS spoofing until it is too late. PntGuard™ offers a singular source of truthful information, enabling swift responses and confident navigation. Shore offices can receive accurate records of a vessel's actual position at any time, which can be shared with charterers or insurers to defend against claims based on false data, ultimately protecting revenues and reputations.

Comprehensive Testing

The performance of PntGuard™ has been rigorously tested through extensive sea trials in collaboration with major international shipowners, supported by a pilot testing program with DNK, one of the foremost maritime war risk insurers globally. The system has undergone independent evaluations over two consecutive years, demonstrating its reliability and efficacy in real-world maritime operations.

Affordability and Flexibility

PntGuard™ is now available for fleets of all sizes, offering immediate protection against an invisible yet growing threat. For more information, visit Pnt-Guard.com.

Conclusion

PntGuard™ represents a significant advancement in maritime safety and security. Developed through collaboration between Tschudi Shipping Company, NAL Research, and SGM Technology, it combines expertise from satellite services, maritime technology, and naval operations, ensuring safer and more reliable navigation in increasingly challenging conditions.