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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

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.