25 May 2018 15:30 Iridium Makes Maritime Industry History

The Iridium® network has been approved to provide Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) services, signaling an end to a decades-long satellite industry monopoly

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) agreed to recognize that the Iridium network meets all the criteria of the IMO needed to provide mobile satellite services in the GMDSS, and to adopt the "Statement of Recognition” proposed by the United States as a Committee Resolution.  This is a significant achievement that ends a decades-long satellite industry monopoly in which only one company was authorized to provide satellite GMDSS service and for the first time will bring competition and truly global coverage, to mariners sailing any of the world’s oceans. 

"This 
is a historic moment for the maritime industry and an honor for Iridium to be 
the second ever recognized provider for GMDSS services,” said Bryan Hartin, 
executive vice president, Iridium. "This is the dawn of a new era for mariner 
safety. We’ll bring a new choice and upgraded capabilities for mariners along 
with our truly global coverage that will for the first time extend the reach of 
satellite-based GMDSS to even the most remote waterways.”

"This has been a long time coming, and we are ecstatic to gain this very important recognition from the IMO.  We are equally proud to ensure mariners will have access to this critical system from anywhere in the world that they sail,” said Matt Desch, chief executive officer, Iridium.  "Iridium has established itself as a trusted maritime safety provider for over a decade, and this recognition is a testament to both that trust and the capabilities offered by our satellite network.”