VDES (VHF Data Exchange System)

The VHF Data Exchange System is the next-generation maritime VHF data standard defined in ITU-R M.2092, designed to relieve the overloaded AIS channels by adding dedicated application-specific messaging and a satellite component for two-way data. It supports e-navigation services, route exchange, and safety messaging at higher capacity than AIS, and is a candidate bearer for a resilient backup to GNSS through ranging-mode positioning. It is a building block of the IMO e-navigation strategy.