Q&A: The case for quantum navigation at sea
Written by Marine Log Staff
As GPS interference incidents continue to rise in key shipping corridors, concerns are growing about the maritime industry’s reliance on satellite-based navigation. From spoofing events that have disrupted port operations to widespread jamming in conflict zones, the vulnerability of GPS has become a strategic and operational risk. Marine Log spoke with Michael Biercuk, CEO of Australian-based Q-CTRL and a quantum physicist, about how emerging quantum sensing technologies could provide resilient navigation alternatives for commercial and defense operators.
Marine Log: We’re seeing a sharp rise in GPS jamming and spoofing incidents affecting commercial vessels. How serious is this threat today, and why should shipowners and policymakers be paying closer attention?
Michael Biercuk: GPS jamming and spoofing have increased markedly since 2024, with clear evidence visible through the ADS-B database used in commercial aviation. Of course, GPS interference isn’t limited to airborne platforms—maritime vehicles are equally at risk. We’ve seen major port closures in Doha linked to GPS spoofing and ships running aground in the Red Sea. According to marine intelligence organizations, in the first week of the war with Iran, more than 1,100 ships in the Persian Gulf experienced GPS interference. GPS denial is now a weapon of both strategic and economic sabotage. Investing in resilient navigational backups is essential insurance for operational continuity and safety.
Marine Log: Scaling shipbuilding without modernizing navigation technology could create new vulnerabilities. What risks does the U.S. face if quantum navigation isn’t prioritized alongside fleet expansion?
Michael Biercuk: GPS has become ubiquitous and extremely valuable for the clear benefits it provides, but the assumption that it would always be available has proven to be deeply flawed. Shipbuilders face an urgent need to consider multi-mode resilient navigational alternatives that deliver safety and operational efficiency across a range of conditions and environments. Quantum navigation is proving to be a critical part of that toolset, delivering unjammable, unspoofable, and undetectable navigation with bounded positioning error and strong complementarity to other alternative navigation solutions. Now is the time to invest in integrating both proven and emerging quantum navigation technologies as fleets expand. Otherwise, the acute challenges we’ve seen in recent theaters of war could become regular occurrences across the maritime sector globally.
Marine Log: For readers unfamiliar with quantum sensing, can you explain how it works in practical maritime terms—and how it differs from traditional GPS-dependent systems?
Michael Biercuk: Quantum sensors use the properties of the most fundamental particles of light and matter to probe the external environment. In general, they provide extreme sensitivity and stability over time because the measurements are tied to fundamental physical properties that do not change. When applied to navigation, these sensors can act as a new set of “eyes” to detect hidden features of the Earth, even through seawater. Those observations can then be compared to geophysical maps to determine position. These quantum map-matching systems work alongside the inertial measurement units already deployed on most vessels and provide drift-free positioning without relying on external radio signals. Because all positioning measurements are based on local observations and do not depend on receiving signals, they are not susceptible to jamming or spoofing.
Marine Log: How could quantum sensing technology change operations in high-risk or contested environments, particularly for U.S. defense and commercial operators transiting sensitive waterways?
Michael Biercuk: Quantum navigation systems powered by quantum sensors have the potential to enable safe transit through areas where GPS interference is known to occur. Not only can they deliver resilient navigation when GPS is unavailable, but they can also provide an early warning of possible GPS spoofing. Recent events have shown just how significant GPS spoofing can become, which makes resilient backup navigation capabilities a critical priority.
Marine Log: Q-CTRL is working with defense partners to advance quantum capabilities. What role should federal investment and public-private collaboration play in accelerating adoption of this technology in the maritime sector?
Michael Biercuk: The United States government invested in GPS and ultimately delivered it as a service that dramatically improved the safety and efficiency of commercial maritime operations. As GPS availability has become less reliable, the U.S. now has another opportunity to lead the world in enabling resilient navigation for its own vessels and for commercial operators. Private-sector companies like Q-CTRL and our partners are leading the development and validation of resilient quantum navigation technologies, and we are ready to work with the government to ensure freedom of navigation for the maritime sector.
