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News about VDES

new VDES IALA Guidelines

IALA Council recently approved two new VDES guidelines, emphasizing the significance of VHF Data Exchange and its increasing adoption.

Find an updated list of VDES relevant ressources on our related page.

Specifically, G1192 VDES Authentication outlines how VDE-TER can be utilized to authenticate existing AIS transmissions for AIS Aids to Navigation (AtoN). This concept was demonstrated in a real-world setup by one of IALA’s members. In the past, presentations have been made to IMO NCSR, Maritime Connectivity Platform Consortium (MCP), and IALA, highlighting the threat posed by unauthenticated AIS transmissions and presenting the solution and performance of VDE-TER. The solution reduces the impact of unauthorized transmissions by enabling seafarers to identify unauthorized transmissions.

G1193 VDES signal measurement provides a guideline that outlines the necessary steps for conducting comparative VDES performance evaluations. IALA encourages everyone interested in presenting VDES performance to adhere to these guidelines to ensure that results are comparable when comparing measurements taken in a standardized manner.

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News about VDES

IMO MSC 110 Decisions

VDES to Become SOLAS Equipment – What This Means for the Maritime Industry

At its 110th session, the IMO Maritime Safety Committee endorsed the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) as SOLAS carriage requirement equipment, effective from January 1, 2028, as proposed by it’s subcommittee NCSR12.

This marks a significant step forward in maritime digitalization. VDES builds on AIS (Automatic Identification System) but offers increased bandwidth and improved reliability through both terrestrial and satellite communication channels. For shipowners, upgrading from AIS to VDES means access to enhanced data services, improved situational awareness, and long-term regulatory compliance.

Because VDES includes AIS functionality, it enables a smooth and future-proof transition from current systems to the new standard—ensuring continuity without operational disruption.

Already today, members deliver type-approved AIS transponders and AIS base stations that are future-proof by design. These systems are fully upgradeable to VDES, giving shipowners and port authorities a clear path to compliance and next-generation capability—without having to reinvest in entirely new infrastructure.

The transition to VDES represents more than just compliance—it’s an opportunity to build a more connected, safer, and smarter maritime domain.

IEC has already started its work to incorporate the IMO decisions into its draft VDES ship equipment test standard IEC 63514, targeted to reach CDV in 2026, allowing start of ship equipment type approvals.

A bit further details for the VDES nerds:

  • now, SOLAS chapter V will be adapted such that VDES or AIS can fulfill the earlier AIS carriage requirement
  • a new IMO VDES performance standard is approved
  • a new IMO VDES guideline is approved
  • access the draft documents through docs.imo.org; everybody can get an account there, just select “public user”
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News about VDES

New G-1002 Guideline published by the VDES Alliance

The VDES Alliance is proud to announce publishing of the new G-1002 Guideline on coordinated use of satellite VDES frequencies, Logical Channels and spreading code among satellite VDES operators.

Access the document here.

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Events

VDES Alliance Participation at IMO NCSR12 in London

The VDES Alliance is participating in the 12th session of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on May 12–15, 2025. We thank CIRM for organizing our participation at NCSR12.

A delegation from the VDES Alliance board, including the chairman Stefan Pielmeier, the co-chairman Peter Bergljung, Koichi Nishimura and Derek Love, will be present to support the ongoing work on the development and standardization of the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES), as well as to contribute to discussions on future maritime digitalization efforts. The board members will be in attendance to engage with stakeholders and represent the Alliance’s collective expertise and efforts.

For more information about VDES Alliance and its activities, find us at our coffee table at the event or reach out to administration@vdes-alliance.org. 

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Uncategorized

RTCM publishes MMS Standard

RTCM published the new standard on the Maritime Messaging Service Architecture and Protocol RTCM 13900.0.

Summary: VDES needs a PKI, and the IALA endorsed Maritime Connectivity Platform defines amongst the decentralized Maritime Identity Registry also a decentralized Maritime Service Registry and the newly standardized Maritime Messaging Service to integrate with maritime environment impacted connectivity embracing internet via satcom and land mobile but also VDES, NAVDAT and other means of connectivity.

The Maritime Messaging Service (MMS) is facilitating world-wide resilient and flexible IP based transfer of trusted maritime service data.

The MMS embraces internet transfer where available, but also provides resilience through dedicated maritime communications such as terrestrial and satellite VDES (VDE-TER and VDE-SAT), NAVDAT, to accommodate existing means of communications on shore and ships.

The MMS unifies the service interface independent on the way the data takes. Only one service software is needed to provide the data for the different transport means. IEC 63173-2 (SECOM) is supported through a defined MMS SECOM Gateway.

The MMS unifies the service consumer application interface, independent on the way the data takes.

Scaling of service data transfer rates can be accommodated through clever use of the Maritime Connectivity Platform Maritime Service Registry.

Data may take for different ships, different ways, the MMS routes only the data, an application has subscribed to on shore or ship.

To allow users to trust the MMS as a safe message transfer system, all services, senders and infrastructure are authenticated through the mechanisms provided by the Maritime Connectivity Platform (MCP), and as described by the IALA guideline G1183.

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News about VDES

VDES Test standard progress

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is developing a testing standard for VDES shipborne mobile stations denoted IEC 63514, currently in TC80 Committee Draft (CD) stage.

The latest draft allows for wide alignment of detailed requirements for participating VDES manufacturers,  and makes system validation and compatibility testing possible to a very large extent.

A Committee Draft for Voting (CDV) with full technical requirements and test methods in place, allowing type approval to start is expected to be available in 2026 and a published International Standard (IS) during 2027.

This is expected to align with the publication of an IMO performance standard and installation guideline for VDES.

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News about VDES

AOS Announce Successful VDES Two-Way Communications for Maritime Communications Satellite Ymir-1

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/

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News about VDES

IMO NCSR 11

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.

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Uncategorized

Sea Japan 2024

The international maritime exhibition and conference Sea Japan 2024 will be held in Tokyo between 10-12 of April, where representatives of the VDES Alliance will be present.

Industry seminars will cover the latest industry information and challenges. On Thursday 11 April, the Japanese Satellite VDES Consortium will host a seminar. The main theme is Ocean and space linkages. Topics related to VDES will be covered.

Read more about the event here: Sea Japan 2024

Check the seminar list here: Sea Japan 2024 – seminar list

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News about VDES

NEW IALA Guideline G1181 for VDES VHF Data Link (VDL) Integrity Monitoring

“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