Category: News about VDES

The VDES Alliance in one of its working groups identified the most relevant use cases for VDES, and we want to share these with you prior to presenting them at IMO NSCR13 here.

Harmonization of how to implement these use cases, is part of the work at many organizations:

• IEC in its DRAFT Equipment Standard 63514 3CD describes the authentication of AIS for integrity and authenticity checking, and the authentication of all other VDES messaging. Publication of CDV is expected later in 2026, the international standard is expected in 2027.
• RTCM has published Standard 13900.0 to explain how S-100 products for enhanced navigational safety, VTS and Portcall can be transferred by the use of VDES using the Maritime Messaging System.
• IALA works on a shore infrastructure guideline for VDES architecture
• numerous projects around the world implement VDES for transport of maritime safety related S-100 modeled data products via MMS and VDE-TER and VDE-SAT.

At its 111th session (MSC 111), the IMO Maritime Safety Committee adopted amendments to SOLAS Chapter V, recognizing VDES as an alternative to AIS for fulfilling minimum carriage requirements. The amendments are set to enter into force on 1 January 2028.

For the maritime community, this is an important step forward. With this decision, VDES has a defined place in the international regulatory framework that governs shipborne navigational systems and equipment. Vessel owners & operators, equipment manufacturers and authorities now have the regulatory certainty needed to move forward with confidence.

VDES builds on AIS rather than replacing it, combining terrestrial and satellite connectivity to deliver affordable, robust, worldwide communication with significantly higher data capacity, two-way data exchange, and global coverage.

The VDES Alliance welcomes this decision and sees it as validation of the work done across the industry – to bring VDES to a point where it earns its place in SOLAS.

Following over two years of hard work by the members of IEC TC80 WG15, led by Stefan Bober, and the recent release of ITU-R M.2092-2, the latest version of the VDES mobile station requirements and test standard, IEC 63514 Ed. 1 3CD, is circulated as its third committee draft.

This represents what should be very close to the final version of the standard but provides an opportunity for other IEC TC80 members (administrations, test houses, manufacturers and users) to comment on the detail of the standard and suggest final corrections for the document.

It is expected that the IEC TC80 WG15 later this summer releases the standard to internal voting inside TC80, which then might lead to the status “International Standard” by the end of 2027, if all goes well. 

Based on that international standard, equipment manufacturers may type approve their equipment to actually use VDES equipment for the purposes IMO has identified in the VDES Performance Standard and Guidelines to be adopted by IMO MSC during the opcoming meeting in May 2026.

Many members of the VDES Alliance have collaborated within the IEC TC80 Working Group 15 to produce a set of comprehensive requirements and tests for ASM, VDE-TER and VDE-SAT operation to ensure that equipment conforms to the requirements of ITU and IMO.

Members should consult with their National Committee and keep watch on the IEC TC80 Website for further updates. 

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.

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