VDES - A Carriage Requirement in SOLAS from 2028
At the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) session no. 110 at the IMO in London in June, the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) was endorsed to be included into SOLAS Chapter V, Carriage Requirements, effective from January 1, 2028. This official recognition of the technology is a significant milestone for the modernization of maritime navigation.
VDES is the key radio access element of what we call AIS 2.0, which is now on track to become the world’s largest combined maritime satellite and coastal network. It will connect all ships under one global standard for trusted ship bridge connectivity. AIS 2.0 will be an enabler of autonomous navigation and efficiency in port calls, rescue operations, and tracking/surveillance.
The SOLAS Convention (Safety of Life at Sea) is the most important international treaty for maritime safety, setting minimum standards for ship construction, equipment, and operations. That’s why this step is such a major breakthrough – VDES and AIS 2.0 will now become a core part of the maritime digital infrastructure for the coming decades.
At Sternula, we remain dedicated to providing AIS 2.0 solutions to shape a smarter, safer, and more connected maritime industry. We will continue to drive innovation and support the global maritime community through secure digitalization.
