VDES AllianceIn January 2026 Teledyne FLIR TransponderTech and CML Microcircuits performed joined VDES testing in False Bay, South Africa to test the performance of VDES. VDES performed very well and 0% PER was measured over range of 50 km when using link ID 19. Details of the testing will follow in a joint report.
Stay tuned!
The VDES Alliance will be present at the upcoming IALA DTEC6 conference, with representation by its newly appointed President, Stefan Pielmeier.
DTEC6 brings together stakeholders across the maritime and navigation community to discuss developments in digital technologies, making it a highly relevant forum for ongoing VDES-related discussions, including standardisation, implementation or operational use cases.
Stefan will represent the Alliance in discussions and exchanges with industry, authorities, as well as Chairman of DTEC WG3, continuing the Alliance’s active engagement in shaping the future of VDES. The participation also marks his first official representation of the Alliance in his new role as President.
If you are attending DTEC6 and would like to discuss anything related to VDES, we encourage you to approach Stefan during the event.
The VDES Alliance is pleased to announce that Stefan Pielmeier has been formally appointed as President of the Alliance.
This appointment follows the amendment of the Articles of Association approved at the Annual General Assembly in September 2025, which introduced the possibility to appoint a President to support the day-to-day operations of the Alliance and strengthen its overall coordination.
In this role, the President is responsible for the daily management of the Alliance, ensuring that decisions and resolutions of the Board are implemented, and supporting the execution of ongoing activities across the Working Groups and membership. The President also represents the Alliance in relevant external forums, including IALA, RTCM or IMO, to mention a few.
The introduction of the President role reflects the continued growth of the VDES Alliance and the increasing need for dedicated leadership to support its activities, coordination efforts, and external engagement.
Stefan Pielmeier brings extensive experience in VDES standardisation and international maritime cooperation, and will play an important role in supporting the Alliance’s mission to advance VDES globally. He previously served as Chairman of the Alliance, from its launch in 2022 until September 2025.
The VDES Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Board of Directors, elected at the Annual General Assembly held on 15 September 2025.
Mr. Peter Bergljung (SAAB TransponderTech) has been appointed as Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Derek Love (CML Microcircuits) as Co-Chairman.
The Board of Directors further includes:
The new Board will continue to advance the mission of the VDES Alliance – to accelerate the adoption and interoperability of VDES technologies, ensuring secure and efficient maritime data exchange worldwide.