DNK offers program to protect ships from GNSS interference

Norwegian insurer DNK will provide members with assured positioning, navigation and timing (A-PNT) services using Iridium Communications’ low-Earth orbit satellite network. DNK, Den Norske Krigsforsikring for Skib, specializes in war-risk insurance.

The new program allows its clients to select systems from specialized technology vendors to protect against GNSS interference while qualifying for insurance premium rebates.

The framework aligns with DNK’s aim of using digital technologies to safeguard Norwegian-owned or controlled vessels from war, 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,” said Svein Ringbakken, CEO at DNK.

“GNSS signal interference can not only increase the risk of collision or grounding but also compromise critical safety systems. This program offers our members the opportunity to lower premiums by investing in cost-effective A-PNT solutions to maintain situational awareness, safety 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 alternative positioning frameworks based on Iridium’s global network of 66 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The vendors participating in the program offer subscription-based hardware systems with a configuration including an Above Deck Unit that transmits jamming and spoofing telemetry back to DNK, alongside an optional Below Deck Unit that provides real-time situational awareness directly 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,” said 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 project has received formal support 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,” said Rohit Braggs, vice president 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.”