New real-time AIS service launched

Satellite AIS data services provider ExactEARTH launched at Nor Shipping 2017 a service known as exactVIEW RT and powered by Harris, which claims to be the ‘world’s first global persistent real-time Satellite AIS service’.

This new service consists of a system of more than 60 maritime satellite payloads, designed, built and operated by Harris Corporation – a world leader in satellite payload technology – which are hosted onboard the Iridium NEXT constellation of satellites.

These advanced maritime payloads cover the entire maritime VHF radio band and leverage the unique cross-linked architecture of the global Iridium NEXT satellite constellation to deliver AIS and other vessel-based VHF data services from any vessel, anywhere on the globe, relaying that data securely to customers in real-time.

ExactEARTH said that  the first four of these advanced real-time maritime payloads are being put into service with the completion of full system deployment expected in 2018.

‘’Initially, the system is tracking more than 250,000 AIS-equipped vessels around the world including Class B AIS device transmissions utilizing exactTraxTM technology. With the continued growth of the highly successful global AIS system, this tracked population is expected to grow to more than one million vessels worldwide in the next decade. ‘’ the company stated.

ExactEARTH highlighted the huge possibilities that real-time global AIS data provide for enhancing maritime safety, security and efficiency. Advantages include the ability to provide automatic alerts when vessels veer off course; real-time route optimization can provide substantial fuel savings and emissions reductions for vessel owners and operators; logistics and port operations will run more efficiently with highly accurate location and arrival predictions; and, fishing activity can be more effectively managed and enforced. In addition, the ability of the exactView RT system to address the full maritime VHF frequency band combined with the full capabilities of the Iridium NEXT system to transmit data to anyone, anywhere opens up the potential for a wide range of future real-time vessel data services, which will further improve vessel safety, efficiency, and navigation in support of the major smart vessel and e-Navigation initiatives of the global maritime industry. 

“We live in a real-time world and we’re deploying a major global real-time maritime data infrastructure,” said Peter Mabson, CEO of exactEarth. “