NAL Research, a U.S.-based pioneer in Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) solutions, together with SGM Technology, a leader in maritime technology solutions for commercial shipping and fishing, and Tschudi Shipping Company, a leader in maritime-related services and logistics, announced a strategic collaboration to deliver a resilient navigation and tracking product line for the commercial shipping industry enabled by Iridium's low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network.

This partnership responds to the urgent need for reliable asset tracking and assured navigation in high-risk maritime environments. Threats to Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, such as jamming, spoofing, and interference, are reaching unprecedented levels worldwide. In some regions, maritime authorities reported a 350% increase in affected vessels over the past six months, according to NorthStandard. These disruptions are leading to serious consequences, including collisions, delays, financial impacts on global trade, and heightened security risks for crews at sea.

Under the partnership agreement, the companies are leveraging NAL Research's 25+ years of 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. The partnership will also benefit from SGM's 15+ years of experience delivering technology to the commercial maritime sector and Tschudi Shipping Company's global presence and 140+ years in commercial shipping and logistics. Together, the 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.

"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."

"In today's maritime landscape, the threat of GPS jamming and spoofing is no longer theoretical, it's a growing reality. 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," said Steffen Grefsgård, CEO, SGM Technology AS. "At SGM Technology, we are committed to developing robust solutions that help mitigate these risks and maintain the integrity of maritime operations."

"As a fifth-generation shipping company, we've witnessed the evolution of maritime navigation, but never before have we faced technological threats like GPS jamming and spoofing," said Felix Tschudi, Chairman, Tschudi Group. "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."

"We're proud to support our valued partners to enable this vital service in the critically important maritime markets," said Iridium Vice President of PNT, Rohit Braggs. "Iridium PNT-enabled technologies are available today and provide trusted location services for high-value assets and more importantly, help to keep mariners safe."

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