DNK gives program to guard ships from GNSS interference

Norwegian insurer DNK will present members with assured positioning, navigation and timing (A-PNT) companies utilizing Iridium Communications’ low-Earth orbit satellite tv for pc community. DNK, Den Norske Krigsforsikring for Skib, focuses on war-risk insurance coverage.

The new program permits its purchasers to pick methods from specialised expertise distributors to guard towards GNSS interference whereas qualifying for insurance coverage premium rebates.

The framework aligns with DNK’s goal of utilizing digital applied sciences to safeguard Norwegian-owned or managed vessels from battle, terror, piracy and cyberattacks.

“Over the past five years, we have seen a sharp increase in GNSS interference, especially in the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea and more recently, in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea,” mentioned Svein Ringbakken, CEO at DNK.

“GNSS sign interference cannot solely enhance the danger of collision or grounding but additionally compromise important security methods. This program gives our members the chance to decrease premiums by investing in cost-effective A-PNT options to take care of situational consciousness, security and positioning integrity.

“This program will not only help members lower premiums and ensure the safety of their vessels but help us collect data we can share with owners, managers and other stakeholders operating in known and emerging conflict zones.”

DNK evaluated various positioning frameworks primarily based on Iridium’s international community of 66 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The distributors taking part in this system supply subscription-based {hardware} methods with a configuration together with an Above Deck Unit that transmits jamming and spoofing telemetry again to DNK, alongside an elective Below Deck Unit that gives real-time situational consciousness on to the vessel crew.

“GNSS jamming and spoofing not only compromise situational awareness, the intentional manipulation of positioning data can also lead vessels into sanctioned or restricted zones,” mentioned Alan Belardinelli, Project Manager at DNK. “After extensive research, DNK found that the Iridium signal, which is 1,000 times more powerful than GNSS signals, is significantly more difficult to disrupt, adding a significant layer of enhanced positioning resilience. Signal attacks can also play havoc with onboard digital systems that rely on GNSS to provide a source of timing, necessary for safe navigation and efficient operations.”

The mission has acquired formal help from Norwegian authorities, represented by Marianne Sivertsen Næss, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, alongside the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, represented by Knut Arild Hareide, Chief Executive Officer.

“PNT Iridium stands as a powerful and effective complement to GNSS, ensuring continuity for vessels when traditional signals are degraded or denied,” mentioned Rohit Braggs, vice chairman of PNT at Iridium. “More importantly, it acts as a resilient ‘source of truth’ by providing assured timing and positioning that maritime systems can depend on, whether in open waters or bustling ports.”