Iridium, Furuno announce SOLION-100 maritime safety terminal for GMDSS

Iridium Communications and Furuno said Sept. 1, 2026, that Furuno will offer the SOLION-100, a maritime safety terminal for Iridium GMDSS.

The companies said the terminal is designed for newbuild and retrofit vessels.

According to the release, SOLION-100 is built on Iridium Certus 100 technology and combines Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, Ship Security Alert System and Long-Range Identification and Tracking capabilities.

Iridium said its GMDSS service entered service in 2020 after recognition by the International Maritime Organization. The company said it became the first new provider of satellite GMDSS services since the system was established.

The release said Iridium GMDSS uses the company’s low-Earth orbit network and provides global coverage, including the polar regions. It is designed to deliver navigational and meteorological warnings through SafetyCast, distress alerting and Safety Voice communications with a Rescue Coordination Center.

The source said a single-button distress alert transmits the vessel’s identification, status and position.

Kiyoshi Furuno, head of the Marine Electronic Products Division and Sales Management Department general manager at Furuno, said the company has long supported safer navigation at sea and that SOLION-100 strengthens its safety communications portfolio.

Wouter Deknopper, vice president and general manager for maritime at Iridium, said the partnership gives shipowners and shipyards another way to equip vessels with maritime safety communications, including in polar regions.

The companies said the SOLION-100 is expected to be commercially available for retrofit applications in late 2026 and for newbuild projects in 2027.

Sources

• PR Newswire release: Furuno unveils new SOLION-100 terminal for Iridium GMDSS

Editorial note: This article was prepared with AI assistance and includes source attribution for reader review.