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Collaboration to Enhance Maritime Navigation

In a time where maritime navigation faces unprecedented challenges, NAL Research, SGM Technology AS, and Tschudi Shipping Company have come together to offer innovative solutions that ensure reliable navigation and tracking for commercial marine vessels. This partnership emerges as a response to the increasing threats against Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, such as jamming and spoofing, which have seen a staggering rise of 350% in the number of affected vessels in certain regions in the past six months.

Navigational Challenges in 2025

The need for robust tracking and navigation systems has never been more pressing in the maritime industry. As sea routes expand and commercial activities intensify, the vulnerability of GPS signals has come under scrutiny. Disruptions can lead to severe consequences, including accidents, delays, and financial losses that impact international trade. Moreover, these threats also put the lives of maritime crews at risk.

The collaboration not only leverages NAL Research's extensive experience in Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) but also incorporates SGM Technology’s 15 years of expertise in delivering maritime solutions. Tschudi Shipping, with its impressive 140-year history in the industry, lends a global perspective and reach, making this partnership uniquely positioned to address these challenges.

The Technical Backbone

The foundation of the new navigation and tracking product line will be based on Iridium's low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, renowned for its resilience against spoofing and jamming. NAL Research’s APNT solutions utilize Iridium’s PNT service that offers a reliable, fully authenticated signal promising to maintain connectivity regardless of environmental conditions. This will aid in developing technologies tailored specifically to maritime operations, helping users maintain situational awareness in even the most challenging scenarios.

As Robert Bills, President of NAL Research, stated, "Protection against GPS vulnerabilities is no longer a nice-to-have, but a necessity to ensure operational success and asset safety." The emphasis is clear; this collaborative venture aims to achieve comprehensive situational awareness and elevate safety standards across the maritime sector.

Looking Towards a Safer Future

The threats posed by GPS jamming and spoofing are real and growing. Steffen Grefsgård, CEO of SGM Technology AS, highlights the importance of safeguarding not just the cargo but also the lives of seafarers who depend on trustworthy navigation systems every day. SGM Technology’s commitment to creating robust solutions that effectively mitigate these threats plays a crucial role in this initiative.

Felix Tschudi, Chairman of Tschudi Group, remarked on the significance of collective action within the industry to tackle emerging threats, advising that technological solutions need to keep pace with modern challenges. With this partnership, there is hope for a safer and more resilient maritime trading environment.

The maritime industry stands on the brink of a significant advancement in navigation technology, as these companies work together to test their state-of-the-art solutions. There is optimism that with the deployment of these advanced systems, the expected increases in maritime safety and efficiency will follow, thereby protecting valuable assets and personnel at sea.

Conclusion

This collaboration signals a crucial step forward in addressing maritime safety concerns. By harnessing the collective expertise of NAL Research, SGM Technology, and Tschudi Shipping, the newly developed solutions promise to enhance navigational integrity amidst the evolving landscape of maritime challenges. As development trials commence, stakeholders await with bated breath to see how these innovative products will reshape the future of commercial maritime operations.