AD Navigation

What AD Navigation does

AD Navigation AS is a Norwegian specialist in GNSS-based precision navigation and positioning systems for the maritime industry, founded in 2002 by Lorentz Ryan and headquartered in Sem (near Tønsberg), Norway. The company designs, develops, markets, and supports industry-leading Portable Pilot Units (PPUs) and related positioning systems built on multi-constellation GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo) with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technology delivering 1cm positioning accuracy. Its flagship XR2 second-generation PPU features a three-POD wireless architecture with unique interpod UHF network communication, advanced Rate of Turn sensors, and CRPA anti-jamming antenna technology that maintains satellite tracking under severe GNSS interference. Supporting products include the ADQ-2 AIS Pilot Plug Connector, the Offshore BAS (Berthing Aid System) for FPSO/FLNG/FSRU operations, Dry Docking applications, and Remote Pilotage solutions, plus customized client engineering services. AD Navigation is the only PPU vendor whose systems have been validated through multi-year participation (2022-2025) at the Jammertest trials in Bleik, Norway, against real-world GNSS jamming and spoofing conditions.

The company operates a specialized hardware-sales and one-time software-license revenue model, selling directly to maritime pilots, pilot organizations, and port authorities globally, with regional channel partners such as Acoustic Imaging in Australia. Customers include government entities (Norwegian Coastal Administration, Loodswezen in the Netherlands, Maritime Safety Queensland, Ports of Rotterdam, Sohar, and Belfast) and major pilot services (DanPilot, Jacobsen Pilots, Savanah River Pilots, Port of New South Wales, Dhamra Port Company). The Dutch authorities mandate PPU use for pilots approaching Dutch ports with the largest vessels. AD Navigation has hundreds of PPU systems deployed across all continents, with continuous product refinement supported by a live lab on local ferries in Tønsberg. In December 2025, Jotron AS acquired AD Navigation, with all employees retained and the founder continuing as Managing Director, positioning the company for accelerated global scale under strategic ownership.

Name

AD Navigation

Legal name

AD Navigation AS

Website

https://adnavigation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AD Navigation AS is a Norwegian specialist that designs, develops, and sells GNSS-based portable pilot units (PPUs) and maritime positioning systems for marine pilots, pilot organizations, and port authorities worldwide, with industry-leading anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technology validated at Norway's Jammertest since 2022.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Navigation and Positioning Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS) (IMAJAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Electrical, Automation & Navigation MRO (Power, Controls, Comms, ECDIS/Radar) (IMAJAFAD)

Keywords

• Portable pilot units
• Maritime GNSS navigation
• Pilotage positioning systems
• Offshore berthing aids
• Anti-jamming maritime technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Sem

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales (PPU Systems): Sale of XR2 Portable Pilot Units and accessories including the ruggedized laptop, navigation software licenses, and optional components like pelican cases and ESD pods.
2. AIS Pilot Plug Connectors: Sale of ADQ-2 devices providing wireless AIS pilot plug connectivity with independent Rate of Turn measurements for situational awareness applications.
3. Customized Offshore Solutions: Bespoke systems development and integration for offshore operations including FPSO berthing aid systems, customized to specific client operational requirements.
4. Software Licenses: Navigation and docking software licenses including Qastor Navigation and Docking License delivered via USB dongle, compatible with multi-platform pilot software packages.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AD Navigation designs, develops, markets, and supports industry-leading GNSS-based precision navigation and positioning systems for the maritime industry. The company sells portable pilot units (PPUs), AIS pilot plug connectors, offshore berthing aid systems, and customized maritime engineering solutions to pilot organizations, port authorities, and offshore operators worldwide. Core systems deliver centimeter-level RTK positioning with proprietary anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities validated through real-world testing at Jammertest in Norway.

Product overview

AD Navigation offers a unified portfolio of precision GNSS navigation and positioning products primarily for the maritime industry. The core product line centers on Portable Pilot Units (PPUs) — the XR2 (second generation) and previous ADX series (ADX XR, ADX DUO, ADX PPU) — which provide independent ship navigation data for pilots. Supporting products include the ADQ-2 AIS Pilot Plug Connector for wireless pilot software connectivity and specialized systems like DC200 RTK, ADX Trim, and ADQ1. Beyond PPUs, the portfolio includes Offshore BAS (Berthing Aid System) for FPSO/FSRU/FLNG operations, Remote Pilotage Application for remote navigation support, and Dry Docking Application for harbor operations. Customized client solutions round out the offering, providing bespoke integration and development services. All products share a foundation in multi-constellation RTK GNSS positioning with anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• XR2: Portable Pilot Unit (PPU) system – second generation ultra-precise low-speed, heading, and Rate of Turn measurement device for modern vessel navigation and docking. More compact, lighter, tougher, fully wireless with advanced RTK positioning from GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo.
• ADQ-2
• ADX XR
• ADX DUO
• ADX PPU
• ADX Trim
• ADQ1
• DC200

Products and services

• XR2 Portable Pilot Unit Second-generation wireless Portable Pilot Unit (PPU) providing ultra-precise low-speed, heading, and Rate of Turn measurements for safe vessel navigation and docking. Features RTK positioning from GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo with three POD system supporting Single, Dual, and Triple modes of operation and unique interpod UHF network communication for boosted signal penetration. Sold to maritime pilots and pilot organizations.
• ADQ-2 AIS Pilot Plug Connector Wireless AIS Pilot Plug connector providing pilot Electronic Chart Systems with independent Rate of Turn measurements and AIS pilot plug connectivity via Bluetooth and WLAN. Features 56-hour battery life, 200m WLAN/100m Bluetooth range, and automatic detection of active Tx pin. Compatible with all major piloting software on iPad, Mac, and Windows OS. Sold to professional maritime pilots.
• Offshore BAS (Berthing Aid System) Customizable berthing aid system for FPSO/FSRU/FLNG and Single Point Mooring operations providing real-time relative positioning for tandem, side-by-side mooring, and ship-to-buoy mooring situations. Includes RTK base station functionality, gyro interface, optional ESD integration, and real-time monitoring workstation. Sold to offshore oil & gas operators and shuttle tanker operators.
• Remote Pilotage Application Smart, customized remote pilotage solution enhancing safety, response, and environmental protection. Enables remote real-time data sharing, scalability, and low-latency high-accuracy positioning for global port operations. Sold to port authorities and maritime operators.
• Dry Docking Application Real-time monitoring system for dry-docking operations replacing traditional laser docking with superior GNSS-based accuracy. Provides vessel position, trim, and list monitoring with dock and block layout visualization. Sold to shipyards and port facilities performing dry docking operations.
• Customised Client Solutions Project-specific customization, development, and design services for offshore and port operations including real-time and RTK positioning solutions integrated with vessel systems and control rooms. Sold to offshore operators and port authorities with bespoke operational requirements.
• Qastor Navigation and Docking Software License Navigation and docking software license delivered via USB dongle, compatible with multi-platform pilot software packages including Orca Pilot X, SEAiq, Wärtsilä Pilot Pro, and Qastor. Sold to maritime pilots and pilot organizations alongside XR2 PPU hardware.

Quantifiable outcome

• SOLAS receivers lost position at 1-2 watt jamming power from 1100m; XR2 maintained position throughout entire 20-watt jamming test
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• Jotron ASflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2025Jotron acquired AD Navigation on December 19, 2025, creating a global leader in Portable Pilot Units and precision navigation. The acquisition adds AD Navigation's battle-tested anti-spoofing and anti-jamming technology to Jotron's maritime portfolio. All AD Navigation employees continue in the company, strengthening Jotron's maritime competence environment. Merete Berdal, CEO of Jotron, stated the acquisition aligns with long-term strategy of delivering innovative and reliable solutions to the maritime industry.
• Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Innovation partnership to develop future support system for pilots to secure GNSS signals and alert when signal degradation occurs. AD Navigation won after competing against 31 suppliers, defeating Polish NavSim Technology. Partnership includes collaboration with Norwegian Space Center. Project Manager Odd Sveinung Hareide noted AD Navigation had higher innovation, robustness, and quality scores.
• Andøya Space CentersupportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaborated with Norwegian Coastal Administration since 2021 to test AD Navigation's systems against real jamming at Andøya Space Center. The controlled environment enables testing of navigation systems under authentic GNSS interference conditions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Hemisphere GNSS: Hemisphere GNSS manufactures high-precision GNSS positioning boards and receivers used in marine, surveying, and other applications. Its multi-constellation RTK positioning technology competes at the component level with AD Navigation's RTK-based systems.
• Septentrio: Septentrio specializes in high-precision GNSS receivers with advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities (AIM+ technology). Its GNSS receiver modules are direct technology competitors to AD Navigation's CRPA-based anti-jamming solution and could be integrated into competing PPU products.

Broad incumbents

• Transas (Wärtsilä Voyage): Wärtsilä Voyage (formerly Transas) is one of the largest marine navigation and pilotage software/hardware providers globally, offering integrated bridge systems, ECDIS, and pilot software (e.g., Navi-Planner). It competes with AD Navigation at the pilot-software layer where AD Navigation's XR2 interoperates, and represents the most established integrated bridge vendor in the same pilot buying cycle.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Kongsberg Maritime is a major Norwegian maritime technology supplier of integrated bridge systems, dynamic positioning, and GNSS-based navigation products. It is both an AD Navigation customer/partner and a broad incumbent that could bundle PPU-like functionality into its K-Bridge and K-Pos DP systems, putting competitive pressure on standalone PPUs.
• Trimble Inc. Trimble is a leading GNSS positioning technology provider with marine, surveying, and construction applications. Its high-precision GNSS receivers and RTK positioning technology are comparable to the underlying technology used in AD Navigation's products, particularly the DC200 and XR2.
• Raytheon Anschütz (Raytheon): Raytheon Anschütz is a major supplier of integrated bridge systems, gyrocompasses, and GNSS-based navigation for commercial and naval vessels. Its navigation portfolio competes for the same bridge-and-pilot budgets and could expand into the PPU category through integrated bridge systems.
• Hexagon / NovAtel: NovAtel (a Hexagon company) is a leading provider of high-precision GNSS positioning technology, including RTK, anti-jamming, and spoofing-detection capabilities. Their OEM GNSS boards and receivers compete at the technology layer with AD Navigation's multi-constellation RTK positioning systems.

Direct peers

• Jotron AS: Jotron acquired AD Navigation in December 2025 and now owns the AD Navigation product line alongside its maritime communication systems. As parent, Jotron is the closest operational peer — it sells into overlapping maritime buyer bases (pilots, port authorities, vessel operators) and will determine AD Navigation's commercial trajectory within its portfolio.
• NavSim Technology: NavSim Technology is a Polish maritime navigation software and PPU provider that AD Navigation defeated in the Norwegian Coastal Administration final-round evaluation. As a direct competitor in the PPU software/hardware category, NavSim targets the same pilot organization customers.

Regional players

• Saab TransponderTech: Saab's TransponderTech division supplies AIS-based products for maritime navigation, including pilot plug connectors comparable to AD Navigation's ADQ-2. It is a partial competitor in the AIS pilot plug subsegment of AD Navigation's product line.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/adnavigation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ad-navigation-as
• Instagraminstagram.com/adnavigation
• Xx.com/ADNavigation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AD Navigation