Höegh Autoliners has entered into a five-year contract with SGM Technology, a Norwegian firm, to integrate the PntGuard™ system across its fleet. This agreement encompasses all 38 existing vessels and any future newbuilds that will join the fleet. The primary objective of PntGuard™ is to improve the resilience of vessel positioning and navigation, especially in regions where Global Positioning System (GPS) signals are frequently disrupted or jammed.
This move by Höegh Autoliners reflects a growing industry concern regarding the reliability of satellite navigation systems, which are crucial for safe and efficient maritime operations. GPS interference, whether intentional or accidental, can pose significant risks to vessel safety and schedule integrity.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this technology adoption by a major Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) carrier like Höegh Autoliners signifies a proactive step towards mitigating operational risks. Enhanced navigation resilience can contribute to more reliable transit times and reduce the likelihood of delays caused by navigation issues, particularly in sensitive or congested waterways. This could indirectly improve schedule reliability for automotive and other RoRo cargo, offering greater predictability in supply chains.
