Business Sectors
Events
Floating energy: successfully unlocking stranded gas using FLNGs and FSRUs
24 Feb 2026
GMT - ONLINEContents
Register to read more articles.
New emergency response communications unveiled
A LEO satellite owner has revealed a new GMDSS service, enabling fast emergency calls, ship identification and security services
Iridium Communications has introduced a Global Maritime Distress Satellite System (GMDSS) service to work alongside its L-band connectivity over low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
Iridium Certus GMDSS will be available through terminals being developed by equipment manufacturers Cobham Satcom, Intellian and Thales. It will incorporate maritime satellite communication safety services including distress alert, safety voice and maritime-safety information (MSI). It will also offer regulated services such as long-range identification and tracking (LRIT), a ship-security alert system (SSAS), broadband, and mid-band voice and data services.
This adds to the L-band weather-resilient broadband communications that cover the globe and work when other satellite connectivity networks are blocked or unavailable.
Iridium Certus terminals will deliver GMDSS, LRIT and SSAS capabilities through a single, versatile antenna, giving vessel owners the ability to cut data costs and streamline their installed bridge equipment.
GMDSS is used by seafarers worldwide to alert emergency response and rescue services when there are incidents at sea, and to receive the latest MSI alerts.
“We provide mariners with a ready-to-implement service that not only meets the industry standards of required safety equipment, but streamlines their overall communications on board,” said Iridium chief executive Matt Desch.
“As the maritime industry constantly experiences new challenges and desires new advancements in technology, Iridium will continue to develop dependable and robust solutions for seafarers. Iridium Certus GMDSS will be at the forefront of that continuous innovation.”
The Lars Thrane LT-4200S is the first Iridium GMDSS terminal to receive its Marine Equipment Directive certification and is available to the market. Cobham Satcom, Intellian and Thales are expected to introduce a combination of Iridium Certus 700 and 200 GMDSS terminals during 2025.
SOLAS-class vessels are required by IMO to install GMDSS equipment on board. If a vessel experiences a distress situation, a mariner can press a red distress button on an Iridium GMDSS terminal, and a rescue co-ordination centre (RCC) is automatically alerted of the vessel’s position, information and emergency.
Within 30 seconds of receiving the distress call, the terminal automatically calls the RCC using Iridium Safety Voice, enabling crew to give swift and precise information to the RCC of their situation.
An Iridium Certus GMDSS terminal can be used as a standalone unit or as a companion service for Ku and Ka-band broadband systems as part of a vessel’s hybrid communications system.
Cobham Satcom introduced its Sailor 7200 GMDSS terminal for Iridium Certus in September 2024, along with the Sailor Fleet C terminal for accessing GMDSS services over Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband L-band services. These include MSIs, LRIT and SSAS services in one unit.
Intellian is developing shipboard GMDSS systems for Iridium clients based on its C200 and C700 terminals and Thales is also incorporating GMDSS in its Iridium Certus terminals VesselLink 200 and VesselLink 700.
Related to this Story
Events
Maritime Regulations Webinar Week
16 Dec 2025GMT - ONLINEFloating energy: successfully unlocking stranded gas using FLNGs and FSRUs
24 Feb 2026GMT - ONLINE
© 2024 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.
