Thales and North Invent to launch retrofit Iridium GMDSS terminal

Thales Defense & Security has partnered with North Invent Corp of Norway to develop a new Iridium Certus-enabled Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) terminal that can be used to upgrade Thales Iridium Certus 200 and Iridium Certus 700 VesseLINK terminals to activate GMDSS operations.

The new system, named WaveLINK, will offer GMDSS functions including distress alerting, safety voice, Maritime Safety Information (MSI), Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT), and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) via the Iridium Certus network, while also providing broadband connectivity.

WaveLINK will integrate Thales’ existing Iridium Certus 200 and 700 VesseLINK terminals with a 10.1-inch touchscreen computer from North Invent to manage GMDSS operations. Release is planned for the second quarter of 2026.

“Iridium Certus Thales VesseLINK terminals have been reliable staple for maritime communications,” says Wouter Deknopper, vice president and general manager of maritime, Iridium.

“The new Iridium Certus GMDSS terminals will now turbocharge this service offering, providing mariners with an extremely robust communication and safety maritime solution.”

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Rob O'Dwyer

Rob is Chief Network Officer and one of the founders of Smart Maritime Network. He also serves as Chairman of the Smart Maritime Council. Rob has worked in the maritime technology sector since 2005, managing editorial for a range of leading publications in the transport and logistics sector. Get in touch by email by clicking here, or on LinkedIn by clicking here.

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