VDES Alliance

Today the AOS collaborative announces successful two-way VDES communications through the Satellite Ymir-1. The satellite built and operated by AAC Clyde Space has transmitted and received VDES messages from across the globe. This communications milestone marks a pivotal movement towards “Connecting Everything Maritime” and strengthening the communication and navigation infrastructure within the maritime domain – providing for a safe, secure and green global communication network. Ymir-1 is part of the collaborative AOS project between AAC Clyde Space, Saab, and ORBCOMM.

Unlike its predecessor, satellite AIS (Automatic Identification System), satellite based VDES offers bidirectional communication. This means that vessels can not only receive information but also send data and messages to other ships and shore stations using VDES enabled satellites. VDES creates the ability to create a global maritime communication and navigation network enabling ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication everywhere on the globe, even in remote or offshore areas.

VDES offers significantly greater bandwidth compared to AIS, making it capable of handling larger volumes of data. This coupled with the enhanced real-time data exchange and cybersecurity represents a massive leap forward for situational awareness for ship operators and the support of safer navigation.

The flight proven AAC Clyde Space EPIC LINK CubeSat, Ymir-1, hosts Saab TransponderTech’s advanced R6 VDES PAYLOAD transponder for two-way communication between satellite and ground. ORBCOMM will integrate data into its distribution centre for the maritime navigation and communications service deployment.

Find more at: https://www.aos-vdes.com/aos-announce-successful-vdes-two-way-communications-for-maritime-communications-satellite-ymir-1/

On June 4th, 2024, at the 11th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications, Search and Rescue, Jorge Arroyo from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) highlighted the VDES Alliance in relation to AIS authentication.

The VDES Alliance recommends:

1. The use of the decentralized Maritime Connectivity Platform identity register (MIR).
2. The international harmonization of Maritime Identity Register vetting procedures as conducted by IALA and the Maritime Connectivity Consortium.
3. The intended use of Maritime Identities to authenticate AIS transmissions, as described by IALA Guideline G-1117, section B.2.8.
4. The authentication of all other maritime service stations and data content using the Maritime Identity Register.

These recommendations underscore the VDES Alliance’s commitment to enhancing the security and reliability of maritime communications.

“VDES VHF Data Link (VDL) integrity monitoring includes the AIS, the ASM, and the VDE, all of which are integrated
in VDES. VDES VDL integrity monitoring is the process of determining whether the VDES VDL is subject to the
injection of errors impacting the reliability and integrity of the data and/or the VDL itself. The purpose of this
document is to provide an overview of the source of VDES VDL vulnerability and propose methods for IALA
members to detect and mitigate the effects of invalid VDL transmissions.”

Read and download the guideline here:

G1181 VDES VDL INTEGRITY MONITORING

The R6 PAYLOAD-IOD, is a satellite-based VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) In-Orbit Demonstrator (IOD).

The satellite is scheduled to be launched by SpaceX in November 2023, as a part of the Transponder 9 mission.

Read more about R6 PAYLOAD-IOD in the link below:

https://www.saab.com/products/r6-payload-iod

IEC number for Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) has now been allocated.   

IEC’s Technical Committee 80 works towards preparation of standards for maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems making use of electrotechnical, electronic, electroacoustic, electro-optical and data processing techniques.  

International Standard (IS) is planned to be in place by August 2026.