Furuno Unveils New SOLION-100 Terminal for Iridium GMDSS

Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. said it would offer the SOLION-100 terminal for Iridium GMDSS. The integration provides a single maritime safety terminal built on Iridium Certus 100 technology, covering GMDSS, Ship Security Alert System and Long-Range Identification and Tracking functions.

Iridium GMDSS entered service in 2020 following recognition by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and delivers regulated maritime distress and safety communications through Iridium’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network with global coverage, including the polar regions. Furuno said adding Iridium GMDSS to its portfolio gives shipowners and shipyards an additional option for maritime safety equipment for newbuild and retrofit vessels.

According to the companies, the SOLION-100 terminal is designed to support crews during a maritime safety event, from receiving navigational and meteorological warnings through Iridium SafetyCast to initiating a distress alert and establishing Safety Voice communications with a Rescue Coordination Center. A single-button distress alert transmits the vessel’s identification, status and position, while Safety Voice enables direct communication with rescue authorities.

Furuno said the SOLION-100 combines GMDSS, SSAS and LRIT capabilities in a single platform built on Iridium Certus 100 technology. The terminal is expected to be commercially available for retrofit applications in late 2026, with availability for newbuild projects expected to follow in 2027.

“Furuno has been committed to supporting safer navigation at sea for decades, and maritime safety remains at the heart of what we do,” said Kiyoshi Furuno, Head of Marine Electronic Products Division and Sales Management Department General Manager, Furuno. “The new SOLION-100 terminal for Iridium GMDSS allows us to strengthen our safety communications portfolio and provide customers with LEO satellite GMDSS technology alongside the Furuno navigation and communications systems they already rely on.” Iridium’s Wouter Deknopper said, “Furuno has a long history of supporting maritime safety, and its addition of Iridium GMDSS brings together that expertise with the global coverage of the Iridium network,” said Wouter Deknopper, vice president and general manager, maritime, Iridium. “Together, we are giving shipowners and shipyards another way to equip vessels with reliable maritime safety communications, including in the polar regions.”

Press release, provided by Cision on behalf of Iridium Communications. Read the original.