NAL Research, SGM Technology and Tschudi to launch maritime navigation and tracking solutions

NAL Research, SGM Technology AS and Tschudi Shipping Company have formed a strategic collaboration to develop a new line of navigation and tracking products designed for the commercial shipping industry, using Iridium’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network.

This joint effort comes amid a rising need for reliable asset tracking and secure navigation tools in high-risk maritime regions, where threats to GNSS signals — such as jamming, spoofing and other forms of interference — are increasing on a global scale. Maritime authorities in some areas have reported a 350% increase in vessels affected by such disruptions in the past six months, according to NorthStandard. The technological interference has caused real-world consequences, including shipping collisions, operational delays, financial setbacks for global trade, and safety risks for crews at sea.

“As a fifth-generation shipping company, we’ve witnessed the evolution of maritime navigation, but never before have we faced technological threats such as GPS jamming and spoofing,” said Felix Tschudi, chairman of 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.”

The partnership’s initial focus is on integrating NAL Research’s decades-long expertise in assured positioning, navigation, and timing (APNT), tracking, and connectivity with the Iridium PNT service. This service provides a resilient, fully authenticated L-band signal engineered to withstand spoofing and jamming. The venture is also drawing upon SGM’s more than 15 years of experience in maritime technology and Tschudi Shipping Company’s international operations, bolstered by 140 years in commercial shipping and logistics. Together, their aim is to deliver high-reliability navigation solutions for environments where GNSS signals are compromised. Trials of the new solution are now 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 of SGM Technology AS.