Category: News about VDES

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News about VDES

Successful launch of VDES-related satellites!

On 30 March 2026, a Falcon 9 launch successfully carried a number of satellites into orbit, including missions from the VDES Alliance members – Space Norway and LusoSpace.

This launch marks an important step in strengthening satellite capabilities relevant for future VDES-based services and maritime connectivity more broadly.

With new assets now in orbit, the potential for expanding coverage continues to improve. This is especially relevant for services such as digital maritime safety information and other data-driven applications that rely on reliable communication beyond terrestrial infrastructure.

Lars Løge, VDES Program Manager – Space Norway:

“The successful launch of our new satellite Mimir, with a VDES payload onboard, marks an exiting next step for our satellite VDES developments. The satellite VDES capacity provided by Mimir will enable new maritime services to be developed and operationalised to support the digitalisation of the maritime community for our partners and customers.”

Catarina Nunes, Product Manager for AIS/VDES – LusoSpace

“On 30 March, LusoSpace reached a new milestone – the successful launch of four new satellites equipped with AIS and VDES, joining the PoSat-2, which has been in orbit since January 2025, marks the beginning of the “Lusíada” constellation, which now has five satellites in space.”

From a VDES perspective, it is a solid signal that progress on the satellite side continues, as this remains an important part of enabling global and resilient maritime communication.

The VDES Alliance welcomes the successful launch and looks forward to following the next steps as these systems move towards operational use. If you would like to learn more about VDES or the activities of the Alliance, you are very welcome to reach out via our social media channels or at administration@vdes-alliance.org.

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News about VDES

New VDES RFI

Fintraffic Vessel Traffic Services Ltd is planning a procurement related to the delivery of coastal VDES (VHF Data Exchange System) base stations.

In a first stage made available today, Fintraffic conducts a “Market Dialogue”.

This is very good news for the VDES domain.

Please find more information about the RFI and participation here: link

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Alliance news News about VDES

VDES performance joint testing

In 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!

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Events News about VDES

Successful demonstration of S-124 Navigational Warnings using YMIR-1 VDES satellite

In October 2025, a demonstration trial was conducted to demonstrate the distribution of navigational warning information using the Ymir-1 VDES satellite.

This demonstration was carried out with the support of the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Japan) through the joint efforts of Sternula Japan Co., Ltd., Sternula, and the AOS Consortium (Teledyne FLIR TransponderTech, AAC Clyde Space, and ORBCOMM).

First, a dataset of S-124 Navigational Warning messages to be transmitted via satellite was generated in Denmark. The dataset was then sent to the satellite operations centre in the United Kingdom, where satellite health monitoring and operational scheduling of the VDES satellite Ymir-1 are managed. The dataset was subsequently forwarded to a satellite earth station located in Norway and uplinked to Ymir-1 via an S-band feeder link.

Ymir-1 transmitted the S-124 navigational warning message dataset toward the designated test area according to a pre-planned transmission schedule. A VDES terminal (R6 VDES) installed onboard a demonstration vessel operating within the test area received the navigational warning, which was displayed on the vessel’s ECDIS-like screen. At the same time, the received data were transmitted back to Denmark via an LTE connection, and subsequently forwarded to Japan.

Due to experimental licensing constraints in Japan, the test area was located in European waters; however, the navigational warning message distributed during the trial consisted of a “tsunami warning” targeting the entrance area of Tokyo Bay, Japan.

On 5 November 2025, a public demonstration of the trial results was held in Tokyo. Representatives from relevant Japanese government agencies and private-sector organizations attended the event, together with the Technical Director of FLIR TransponderTech, Peter Bergljung (Chair of the VDES Alliance) invited from Sweden, while stakeholders in the United Kingdom and Denmark participated remotely.

Approximately 90 maritime professionals gathered to discuss challenges and potential solutions toward the practical implementation of satellite VDES. The event successfully established a shared understanding among participants regarding future deployment and operational considerations.

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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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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.