The IMO Navigation, Communications, and Search and Rescue Sub-Committee (NCSR) 10 (10-19 May) discussed incorporating the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) into SOLAS.
The Sub-Committee considered the introduction of the proposed VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) into SOLAS, including the development of related performance standards and guidelines.
A correspondence group was established to undertake a technical, regulatory and operational analysis of VDES and its communication component and, based on the analysis, develop draft amendments to SOLAS and associated instruments to introduce VDES in the IMO framework.
VDES is a radiocommunication system comprising of VHF data exchange (VDE), Application specific message (ASM) and automatic identification system (AIS) in the VHF maritime mobile band and is capable of exchanging digital data, at speeds higher than AIS, in the ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship directions using both terrestrial and satellite components
