At its 110th session (June 18–27, 2025), the IMO Maritime Safety Committee made a landmark decision: the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) will now become an approved technology for the carriage requirement under SOLAS Chapter V, effective January 1, 2028 imo.org+4vdes-alliance.org+4ww2.eagle.org+4.
Why This Change Matters
VDES enhances the current Automatic Identification System (AIS) by offering:
- Greater bandwidth and reliability through both terrestrial and satellite communication
- Stronger protection against AIS spoofing and malicious data signals
- Seamless integration—since VDES includes AIS functionality, vessels can smoothly transition without disruption ww2.eagle.org
Regulatory & Industry Impact
- SOLAS Chapters IV and V, along with the 1994 and 2000 High-Speed Craft Codes, have been amended. Any reference to “AIS” will now include “or VDES” ww2.eagle.org.
- The MSC also approved performance standards for VDES-equipped equipment and provided operational guidelines, covering human-machine interface, cyber-security, authentication, and messaging .
- States are expected to adopt the amendments at IMO MSC 111 (May 2026) for entry into force by January 1, 2028 ww2.eagle.org+1vdes-alliance.org+1.
AOS Leads the Charge on VDES Implementation
This decision sets a clear regulatory roadmap for maritime digitalisation. Within this evolving landscape, the AOS Consortium is fully committed to delivering end-to-end VDES enablement—linking vessel hardware, shore-based infrastructure, and satellite capabilities.
Our ecosystem-ready platform supports the transition from legacy AIS systems to fully SOLAS-compliant VDES, enabling:
- Enhanced Situational Awareness – Receive richer vessel data from a larger geographic envelope
- Regulatory Compliance – Be ready before 2028 SOLAS deadline
- Future-Proof Connectivity – Seamlessly integrate terrestrial and satellite data exchange