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Cosco Shipping enhances safety and emergency response with GMDSS upgrade
Cosco Shipping is installing terminals to use Iridium’s Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) across its fleet of commercial vessels, especially those sailing in Arctic seas
Lars Thrane’s LT-3100S terminal was deployed on pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) Cosco Tengfei to connect with Iridium’s low earth orbit (LEO) satellites for emergency communications and safety information. Since its installation, Cosco Shipping has enhanced safety and its ability to operate in northern seas as Iridium provides coverage in the Arctic.
“Our first Iridium GMDSS system deployment, on Cosco Tengfei, will greatly enhance its safety service capabilities while sailing on the ocean,” said Cosco Shipping director of telecom and navigation Xiaofeng Guo.
“It serves as a good demonstration that the fleet can operate in the Arctic Ocean region. We expect to deploy more Iridium GMDSS systems on those Arctic-route vessels during 2024.”
Cosco Tengfei operates globally, transporting vehicles from Chinese manufacturers to destinations around the world.
Iridium GMDSS now provides global coverage, distress alert, voice and maritime safety information.
LT-3100S terminal also supports long-range identification tracking (LRIT) and ship security alert system (SSAS) mandatory and optional services. On Cosco Tengfei, this terminal extends GMDSS, LRIT and SSAS into polar waters where the previous incumbent GMDSS coverage fell short.
“This is a major validation of the Iridium GMDSS service,” said Iridium vice president and general manager of maritime Wouter Deknopper.
“As Cosco Shipping, with the world’s largest shipping fleet, expands operations into polar and other remote regions, Iridium GMDSS ensures its vessels have modern GMDSS services.”
Iridium GMDSS has been installed on merchant ships, military and government vessels, superyachts and small leisure craft.
“The feedback is universal from the maritime industry, that Iridium GMDSS is an evolution of maritime safety services.”
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