Updated International Regulations on Class A AIS (2024-2025): What Shipping Companies Need to Know

In recent years, the IMO and maritime authorities of various countries have continuously updated and improved the regulatory requirements for Class A AIS, aiming to further enhance maritime safety, strengthen regulatory supervision, and promote the digital transformation of the maritime industry. For shipping companies engaged in international trade, mastering these updated regulations is crucial to avoiding non-compliance penalties and ensuring the smooth progress of voyages.

Key Updates to IMO Regulations on Class A AIS (2024-2025)

The IMO has issued several important amendments to Class A AIS regulations in 2024-2025, mainly including:

Mandatory Multi-Constellation Positioning: According to IMO Res.MSC.496(102), starting from January 1, 2025, all newly installed Class A AIS must support at least two global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), including Beidou and GPS. Ships with existing Class AIS that only support single-system positioning must complete upgrades before December 31, 2026.

Extended Data Storage Requirements: The storage time of AIS historical data has been extended from 10 days to 30 days. The stored data must include all static, dynamic, and voyage-related information, and be able to be exported in a standard format for regulatory inspection and accident investigation.

Stricter Anti-Tampering Requirements: Class A AIS must be equipped with anti-tampering functions to prevent unauthorized modification of MMSI codes, ship information, and positioning data. The equipment must record all modification attempts and generate alarm records.

Integration with VDR/S-VDR: Newly built ships with a gross tonnage of 500 GT and above must realize data integration between Class A AIS and VDR (Voyage Data Recorder)/S-VDR (Simplified Voyage Data Recorder), ensuring that AIS data is synchronized and stored in VDR/S-VDR.

Regional Regulatory Updates (EU, US, Asia-Pacific)

In addition to IMO regulations, maritime authorities in major regions have also introduced supplementary requirements:

EU (Maritime Safety Agency - EMSA): Since July 1, 2024, all ships entering EU waters must use Class A AIS that meets the EU's "Maritime Digital Services (MDS)" certification. The equipment must support data exchange with the EU's maritime monitoring platform (SafeSeaNet) to realize real-time tracking and regulatory supervision.

US (Coast Guard - USCG): The USCG requires that ships calling at US ports must install Class A AIS with remote monitoring functions. Shipping companies can monitor the operating status of AIS and the navigation dynamics of ships in real time through shore-based platforms. Non-compliant ships will be restricted from entering US ports.

Asia-Pacific (China MSA, Singapore MPA): China MSA requires that Class A AIS installed on domestic and foreign ships navigating in Chinese coastal waters must support Beidou navigation and data transmission to China's national maritime monitoring platform. Singapore MPA has launched a "Smart AIS" pilot project, encouraging ships to use Class A AIS with 5G communication functions to enhance the intelligence of port navigation.

Compliance Measures for Shipping Companies

To comply with the latest international and regional regulations, shipping companies should take the following measures:

Conduct a comprehensive inspection of the existing Class A AIS equipment on board to confirm whether it meets the new regulatory requirements;

Formulate an equipment upgrade plan and complete the upgrade of single-system positioning AIS to multi-constellation positioning AIS within the specified time limit;

Strengthen the training of on-board personnel and shore-based management personnel to master the new functions and regulatory requirements of Class A AIS;

Establish a sound AIS data management system to ensure that historical data is stored in compliance with regulations and can be provided for inspection at any time;

Cooperate with qualified Class A AIS manufacturers and service providers to obtain professional technical support and certification services.

Regulatory Compliance: The most basic requirement is that the product must meet the latest IMO regulations (such as MSC.74(69), MSC.496(102)) and regional regulatory requirements (such as EU MDS certification, USCG approval, China MSA Beidou compatibility). Ensure that the product has complete certification documents, including type approval certificate, product qualification certificate, and radio station license.

Performance Stability: In harsh marine environments, the stability of Class A AIS is crucial. Focus on indicators such as anti-interference capability, signal transmission stability, and positioning accuracy. Choose products with multi-constellation positioning, high-power (12.5W) transmission, and adaptive channel adjustment functions to ensure normal operation in signal-congested or harsh weather conditions.

Function Completeness: According to the ship's operation needs, select products with appropriate functions. For large international ships, it is recommended to choose Class A AIS with 5G/4G-LTE communication, IoT integration, intelligent alarm, and VDR integration functions; for domestic coastal ships, focus on basic functions such as stable positioning, information broadcasting, and compliance with local regulatory requirements.

Reliability and Durability: The product should be designed for marine environments, with waterproof, dustproof, anti-corrosion, and shockproof capabilities (meeting IP67 or higher protection level). The service life of key components (such as antenna, host, display) should be not less than 8-10 years to reduce maintenance and replacement costs.

Ease of Operation and Maintenance: The display interface should be concise and clear, and the operation should be simple to reduce the learning cost of on-board personnel. The equipment should have a perfect self-test function and fault diagnosis function, which is convenient for on-board personnel to troubleshoot simple faults. At the same time, the manufacturer should provide timely after-sales service and maintenance support.

Compatibility and Scalability: Ensure that the Class A AIS can be seamlessly connected with other on-board equipment (such as ECDIS, radar, VDR, GPS) to avoid data incompatibility. Choose products with good scalability, which can be upgraded to support new functions (such as AI decision support, blockchain data recording) in the future to adapt to the development of smart shipping.

Blindly Pursuing Low Prices: Low-priced Class A AIS may have defects in performance, quality, and certification, which may lead to non-compliance with regulations, frequent failures, and even safety risks. It is recommended to balance cost and quality and choose products with high cost performance.

Ignoring Regional Regulatory Requirements: Different regions have different regulatory requirements for Class A AIS (such as Beidou compatibility in China, EMSA certification in the EU). Ignoring these requirements may result in the ship being unable to enter the corresponding waters or being penalized.

Overlooking After-Sales Service: Some manufacturers only focus on sales and lack perfect after-sales service. When the equipment fails, it is difficult to obtain timely maintenance support, which affects the normal operation of the ship. Choose manufacturers with a global after-sales service network and professional technical teams.

Neglecting Compatibility with Existing Equipment: Before purchasing, it is necessary to confirm whether the new Class A AIS is compatible with the existing on-board equipment. Otherwise, it may need to be modified or replaced in a large area, increasing additional costs.

Recommendations for Cooperation with Manufacturers

When selecting Class A AIS, shipowners should cooperate with reputable and experienced manufacturers. It is recommended to consider the following factors when choosing manufacturers:

Has a long history of maritime equipment R&D and production, and a good reputation in the industry;

Has obtained relevant international and regional certifications, and the products have been widely used in the global shipping industry;

Has a professional R&D team, can keep up with the latest technological trends and regulatory updates, and provide product upgrades and technical support;

Provides comprehensive after-sales services, including installation guidance, personnel training, maintenance, and spare parts supply.

By following this guide, shipowners can select high-quality Class A AIS that meets their own needs and regulatory requirements, laying a solid foundation for safe and compliant ship operations.