The International Maritime Organisation’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has adopted a resolution to introduce the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) into the IMO regulatory framework.
The system is designed as an alternative to the current Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking system required on ships. The new regulations are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2028.
VDES allows ships and coastal authorities to send and receive more data than AIS, more quickly and more securely. The system helps to make ship tracking more secure by adding authentication, helping to reduce the risk of spoofing.
To support this transition, the MSC adopted revised performance standards for shipborne VDES at its 111th session and approved guidelines for the onboard operational use of the technology.
During the MSC 111 session, amendments to the navigation requirements in Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V and its appendix were adopted to allow the voluntary carriage of VDES as an alternative to AIS.
The digital communication standard comprises four key components: an AIS component for vessel identification and tracking alongside additional communication capabilities; an Application-Specific Message (ASM) component; a terrestrial component for VHF data exchange (VDE-TER); and a satellite component for VHF data exchange (VDE-SAT).
In related news, MSC 111 also approved amendments to the SOLAS Convention that will change how the Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system works. LRIT is a worldwide system that allows governments to track ships by receiving regular updates on vessel position and identity. The updated amendments aim to make global ship tracking data easier to access, improving safety, security, and environmental protection at sea.
The amendments will be considered for formal adoption by MSC 112 in December. Once implemented, they will allow coastal states to receive standard ship position reports free of charge, removing a major barrier to using the system.
This initiative is expected to help countries better monitor maritime activity, support search and rescue operations, and respond effectively to issues such as illegal shipping and marine pollution.
