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Tschudi Shipping Company, NAL Research and SGM Technology AS have launched PntGuard, a maritime-security solution that provides pinpoint situational awareness. It supports navigational integrity at a time when GNSS signals can no longer be taken for granted.
standalone navigational aid independent of all other bridge systems, PntGuard delivers instant alerts the moment a vessel’s position is falsified, providing true position data when other bridge systems are compromised.
The electronic warfare problem
Malicious disruption of GNSS signals is increasing for the maritime industry. Attacks can originate from land-based systems, hostile or “dark-fleet” vessels, or even occur opportunistically in congested sea lanes – often without vessel crews ever realising their position has been manipulated.
Critical scenarios include:
- Collisions and groundings (especially in low visibility, at night, and in dense traffic zones with risk to life, assets, and the environment)
- Unintended or manipulated entry into restricted waters
- Claims of sanctions evasion / calling at ports in sanctioned states
- ort delays / disruptions to cargo logistics including deviations causing delays, increased fuel consumption, and emissions.
- Charter disputes and insurance challenges when a vessel appears to have breached compliance boundaries
Enabled by the Iridium low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, PntGuard receives a secured PNT signal about 1,000 times more powerful than GNSS and is resilient to jamming and spoofing of those systems. The solution complements a vessel’s navigation feed with accurate situational awareness and immediately alerts the crew to manipulation or interruption, its makers say.
PntGuard comprises two compact components – an above-deck unit (receiver) that connects to the Iridium PNT service and a below-deck unit (bridge display) that shows both the falsified GPS track and the vessel’s true position on a nautical chart in real time.
Shore offices can also receive an accurate record of a vessel’s true position at any time – proof that can be shared with charterers or insurers to defend against claims based on false data and safeguarding both revenue and reputation.
About the PntGuard partnership
PntGuard has been developed through a collaboration between cross-industry partners Tschudi Shipping Company, NAL Research Corporation and SGM Technology, combining expertise from resilient satellite services, maritime technology and vessel operations.
Tschudi Shipping Company is a fifth-generation, Norwegian family-owned shipping and logistics group with more than 100 years of history of owning and managing ships. Focusing on client value through tailored solutions, strong partnerships, digital innovation, Tschudi’s core values are commitment, respect, and proactivity.
NAL Research Corporation, based in Virginia, USA, is a leader in Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT) technologies, providing secure, resilient communications and tracking solutions for defence, government and enterprise customers operating in GPS-denied environments.
SGM Technology, headquartered in Oslo, Norway, develops advanced satellite-based digital and compliance systems for the maritime and fisheries sectors, delivering innovative, field-proven solutions that enhance operational safety, transparency and efficiency at sea.
