Höegh Autoliners Bets $50m on GPS-Proof Fleet: The Tech Shielding 38 Ships
The ro-ro giant equips its entire fleet with PntGuard™ to counter GPS jamming and spoofing on global routes.
Höegh Autoliners is rolling out a fleet-wide upgrade to counter the growing threat of GPS interference, signing a five-year contract with Norwegian tech firm SGM Technology to equip all 38 of its vessels with PntGuard™. The move, set to begin installations next month, marks one of the largest deployments of navigation resilience technology in the global shipping industry.
GPS jamming and spoofing have become persistent risks on major shipping routes, disrupting navigation, operational planning, and situational awareness onboard vessels. It also alerts bridge teams in real time when interference is detected, enabling faster response and reducing the risk of navigational errors.
The agreement covers Höegh Autoliners’ current fleet and all future newbuildings entering service during the contract period. The system will also generate an independently verified record of each vessel’s route, supporting compliance and voyage verification requirements.
Höegh Autoliners
Why GPS Interference Is a Growing Threat to Global Shipping: Höegh Autoliners
The decision to deploy PntGuard™ comes as GPS jamming and spoofing incidents escalate in key maritime regions.
Sebjørn Dahl, COO of Höegh Autoliners, highlighted the urgency of the issue:
“GPS jamming and spoofing incidents have become an increasing challenge across major shipping routes worldwide, creating risks for navigation, operational planning and situational awareness onboard vessels. With the fleet-wide rollout of PntGuard, Höegh Autoliners is taking a proactive step to strengthen operational resilience and support safe, reliable global operations.”
Sebjørn Dahl·COO of Höegh Autoliners
By equipping its entire fleet, Höegh Autoliners aims to mitigate these risks before they escalate into costly incidents.
How PntGuard™ Works and What It Means for the Industry
PntGuard™ operates as a secondary navigation system, cross-referencing GPS data with alternative positioning sources to detect anomalies. When interference is identified, the system alerts the bridge team and switches to a backup positioning method, ensuring continuous accuracy. This redundancy is particularly valuable in high-risk areas where GPS signals are frequently disrupted.
Christian Hall, Head of Global Cargo Operations and Digital Projects at Höegh Autoliners, emphasised the company’s proactive approach:
“Digital resilience is becoming an increasingly important part of maritime safety and operational excellence. We didn’t want to wait for an incident to act and make a decision to build resilience.”
Christian Hall·Head of Global Cargo Operations and Digital Projects at Höegh Autoliners
The system also supports compliance with international maritime regulations, which increasingly require vessels to demonstrate robust navigation safety measures.
Steffen Grefsgård, CEO of SGM Technology, praised Höegh Autoliners’ commitment to innovation:
“We are proud to support Höegh Autoliners in taking a leading role on this issue. This is a real statement about the underlying risk culture and proactive approach to mitigating risks and preventing losses caused by GNSS interference. Höegh Autoliners’ thorough and professional assessment, carried out in a highly contested electronic environment, underscores their dedication to safety, reliability, and innovation.”
Steffen Grefsgård·CEO of SGM Technology
The deployment of PntGuard™ is scheduled to begin in September 2026, with all future vessels delivered to Höegh Autoliners equipped from entry into service.
For Höegh Autoliners, the investment is not just about compliance, it’s about maintaining a competitive edge. In an era where supply chain disruptions can have cascading effects on global trade, the ability to operate reliably in high-risk areas could prove decisive. As Hall noted:
“By deploying this technology across our entire fleet, we are leading the pack, strengthening our ability to operate safely and efficiently, regardless of the environment our vessels encounter.”
Christian Hall·Head of Global Cargo Operations and Digital Projects at Höegh Autoliners
The move also reflects a broader trend in the maritime sector, where digital resilience is becoming as critical as physical safety measures. As cyber threats and electronic warfare evolve, companies that invest in proactive solutions like PntGuard™ are likely to gain a strategic advantage in navigating the complexities of modern shipping routes.
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