From compliance to collaboration: How digital innovation is redefining maritime safety

Maritime safety is on the brink of a digital revolution. For decades, the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), introduced under the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, has been the lifeline connecting ships and shore during emergencies. But as connectivity becomes central to operations at sea, Thales is redefining the role of GMDSS terminals — transforming them from a simple safety net into an intelligent co-pilot at sea. 

Author: Alf Stian Mauritz, Group Chief Strategy Officer at IEC Telecom.

The Shift Towards a Connected Maritime Ecosystem

Alf Stian Mauritz, Group Chief Strategy Officer at IEC Telecom.

For deep-sea operations, the availability of a comprehensive safety and emergency response system is a regulatory and operational necessity. According to the IMO, all cargo ships above 300 gross tonnage and passenger vessels on international voyages must carry approved GMDSS equipment, integrating both satellite and terrestrial networks to ensure distress alerting, position reporting, and dissemination of Maritime Safety Information (MSI).

Originally developed in the 1980s, GMDSS was built for an analogue world. Now, it is being reimagined for the connected one. Enhanced by satellite broadband and network-integrated services, modern systems enable faster data exchange and greater interoperability between ship and shore. As a result, the European maritime safety systems market is projected to nearly double, from USD 9.4 billion in 2024 to USD 19.8 billion by 2035, driven by digitalisation and satellite adoption.

Introducing WaveLINK, The Next Chapter in Maritime Safety

This evolution was on full display at Europort 2025, where Thales Defence & Security, Inc. unveiled WaveLINK™, a next-generation GMDSS system that redefines maritime safety for the digital era. Developed in collaboration with North Invent and powered by the Iridium Certus satellite network, WaveLINK represents a major leap in maritime communications.

This robust and flexible solution combines mandatory GMDSS features such as distress alerting, MSI, LRIT, and SSAS within a single, user-friendly add-on panel. With its OpenBridge-based interface, WaveLINK integrates seamlessly into modern digital bridge systems, ensuring intuitive operation while aligning with the industry’s broader transition towards connected operations.

Hosted at the IEC Telecom stand, the unveiling brought together Thales’ engineering innovation, North Invent’s design expertise, and IEC Telecom’s system-integration capabilities, offering a turn-key solution to the market.

Beyond Safety, A Digital Co-Pilot at Sea

What sets WaveLINK apart is its versatility. Unlike traditional GMDSS terminals that remain dormant until an emergency arises, WaveLINK is designed for continuous use. It supports day-to-day operational tasks, transforming from a compliance tool into a digital co-pilot.

Steve Noel, Vice President – Satcom Solutions, Thales Defence & Security

Steve Noel, Vice President – Satcom Solutions, Thales Defence & Security, Inc., told us that “WaveLINK is scalable by design and ready to host digital services across Iridium’s reliable and truly global network. By combining safety features with a wider range of operational apps within a single platform, we are transforming the traditional single-purpose GMDSS system into a multifunctional co-pilot at sea.”

Future-ready modules are already in development, from fish-catch reporting to search-and-rescue coordination and more, reflecting Thales’ commitment to evolving alongside the operational needs of maritime users.

IEC Telecom, Building the Bridge Between Safety and Digitalisation

For IEC Telecom Group, the partnership with Thales reinforces its mission to make advanced maritime communications more efficient and accessible. The introduction of WaveLINK perfectly complements the Group’s service-driven portfolio, enhancing its existing range of integrated solutions. Together with Starlink, which delivers high-speed broadband connectivity, and VesseLINK, which ensures resilient L-band communication, the new GMDSS module completes a future-ready, multi-layered ecosystem designed to support safety and operational excellence at sea.

Accessible, Scalable, and Designed for the Future

A defining strength of WaveLINK lies in its accessibility. This innovative add-on enables thousands of vessels already equipped with Thales VesseLINK terminals to upgrade their onboard systems to GMDSS-approved capability through a simple plug-and-play module. No extensive refitting or costly hardware replacement is required.

A defining strength of WaveLINK lies in its accessibility

This modular approach empowers shipowners to modernise communication systems quickly, affordably, and with minimal operational disruption. WaveLINK bridges the gap between legacy equipment and future-ready connectivity, helping vessel owners enhance safety standards and modernise their onboard communication systems.

Charting a Smarter, Safer Future

With commercial availability ready for mid-2026, WaveLINK’s unveiling at Europort 2025 represents a pivotal moment for the maritime industry. It demonstrates how collaboration among industry leaders can transform compliance into connectivity, and safety into intelligence.

As maritime operations evolve, WaveLINK stands as a symbol of the future, one where every vessel navigates not only with compliance, but with confidence, resilience, and foresight.