The Bay of Algeciras has become a veritable testing laboratory for maritime satellite communications through a combined analysis of access conditions and regulatory barriers. SATMAR nanosatelliteDeveloped by the Galician company Alén Space, and in coordination with the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) and other technology partners, the project has completed its first pilot demonstration campaign of the VDES (VHF Data Exchange System) standard, designed to transform data exchange between ships, ports, and shore stations.
After several months of testing under real-world conditions, SATMAR has demonstrated that The combination of satellite technology and VHF band can bring about a qualitative leap In maritime traffic management: improved coordination of maneuvers, greater navigational safety, and new possibilities for digital port services, even far offshore. All of this with a focus on Spain and, especially, on operations in the Bay of Algeciras, one of Europe's most important port hubs.
First VDES pilot campaign in the Bay of Algeciras
Alén Space has concluded the first testing campaign of its VDES technology on board the SATMAR satellite, carried out in conjunction with Egatel and the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras. This pilot phase had a clear objective: to demonstrate from the low earth orbit How the new maritime communications standard can be practically applied in one of the busiest port environments in the Mediterranean.
These trials have been carried out different use cases in real-world operational scenarios, testing not only the technical capacity of the system, but also its fit into the daily operations of the port and the vessels that work or transit through the Bay of Algeciras.
The campaign is part of a broader plan that It will extend until the end of 2025, with the completion of one final pilot project in the area, and is part of a demonstration strategy that the company plans to replicate in other European ports and locations over the coming months.
Ship-port communication and maritime traffic optimization
One of the most relevant pilots focused on the direct exchange of messages between a ship and the port control center from the Bay of Algeciras via VDES satellite links. Thanks to this data channel, it was possible to adjust the vessel's entry, exit, and maneuvers in near real-time, better coordinating transit times and reducing unnecessary waiting.
This type of advanced communication allows the port authority have more accurate information This information is tailored to the specific situation and needs of each vessel, resulting in more precise planning of berths, tugboats, and auxiliary services. For shipping companies, this translates into less downtime, less uncertainty, and more efficient route management.
The improvement in coordination also has a clear environmental benefit: by avoiding waiting times and inefficient maneuvers, it achieves reduce fuel consumption and associated emissionsIn an area with such heavy traffic as the Bay of Algeciras, these savings can accumulate to a significant impact in the medium term.
From an operational point of view, the experience of these first pilots reinforces the idea that satellite VDES can be integrated as complement to traditional port communication systems, adding a richer and more consistent layer of data, especially useful when ships are still far from the coast.
Environmental data and offshore buoy simulation
Another relevant essay focused on the shipment of Environmental and oceanographic information from a drifting vessel in the Bay of Algeciras, which acted as if it were an offshore buoy. Through the VDES link via SATMAR, data was transmitted which, in a real-world scenario, could include parameters such as sea state, wind, temperature, or water quality.
This type of application opens the door to deployment low-cost satellite-connected sensor networksThese systems are capable of operating in areas far from the coast and without the need for complex communications infrastructure. For port management and route planning, having reliable environmental information in near real-time is a key tool.
Furthermore, the use of secure communication channels such as VDES allows this potentially sensitive data for operations management to be transmitted with greater guarantees against interference or unauthorized access. In the European context, where the digitalization of ports and maritime corridors is a priority, This type of solution fits perfectly into smart port strategies.
Ship tracking using long-range AIS reception
During the campaign, SATMAR has also demonstrated its ability to receive messages from the AIS (Automatic Identification System) message space. originating from vessels at great distances, as well as satellites such as Iceye Gen 4While coastal stations have a limited range, the use of satellites allows ships to be tracked even when they are outside of normal land coverage.
This functionality strengthens maritime traffic control in wide areas, providing a a more complete view of the position and movements of the vessels that navigate around the Iberian Peninsula and its access routes. In the specific case of the Bay of Algeciras, located in a strategic corridor, the added value of this extended monitoring is evident.
By complementing terrestrial AIS with satellite reception, the capacity to detect vessels that are on the high seasfacilitating both the management of commercial fleets and maritime safety or emergency response tasks, which require reliable and continuous data.
Latest pilot project with weather stations in the Bay of Algeciras
The demonstration campaign is not yet over. A [further action/demonstration/project/etc.] is planned before the end of 2025. latest pilot project in the Bay of Algeciras in collaboration with the company Oritia & BoreasIn this case, the focus will be on the installation of a VDES transmission terminal at a local weather station.
The goal is to validate how the SATMAR satellite can be transformed into a reliable link for sending weather data from remote stations to control centers, without relying so heavily on land-based infrastructure. This type of information is essential for navigational safety, port operations planning, and emergency management in the maritime environment.
If the results are positive, the experience of the Bay of Algeciras could serve as a model for replicate similar solutions in other Spanish and European portsintegrating meteorological and oceanographic stations with satellite VDES links as part of a wider observation network.
Characteristics of the SATMAR nanosatellite and scope of operation
The SATMAR satellite is a 6U type nanosatellite, launched into space on June 23, 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Since its launch into orbit, it has already completed six months of operations, including the verification of its subsystems and the validation of payloads intended for maritime communications.
Developed entirely by Alén Space, the project includes the participation of the company Egatel and the collaboration of Gradiant technology center, which provides capabilities in advanced communications and signal processing. This combination of factors has made it possible to integrate the functions necessary to operate with the VDES standard from space into a compact format.
The nanosatellite's scope of work focuses on Spain and the waters surrounding the peninsula and the archipelagoswhere the main use cases initially planned are concentrated. From this orbit, SATMAR offers bidirectional VHF band links, designed to complement and expand conventional maritime communications.
The mission has been designed to test under real-world conditions how VDES technology can contribute greater efficiency, safety and sustainability to maritime traffic, while enabling next-generation digital services for ports and companies in the sector.
Satellite VDES: two-way communications and digital services
The technological heart of the project is the VDES standard, which allows exchange data in the VHF band more flexibly and with greater capacity than traditional systems used in the maritime environment. By moving some of these communications into space, SATMAR extends coverage to areas where terrestrial networks do not reach or are insufficient.
Among the applications being explored are the route optimization to reduce fuel consumptionThis includes the dissemination of safety alerts, the updating of port operational information, and the sending and receiving of emergency messages in near real-time. All of this is facilitated through bidirectional links, enabling richer interaction between ship and shore.
This approach aligns with the European trend towards more digitized and sustainable maritime transport, in which secure and continuous communications play a key role. In the case of the Bay of Algeciras, the integration of satellite VDES into daily operations can to improve the port's competitiveness compared to other logistics hubs in the region.
Alén Space, Egatel and Gradiant: technological collaboration with a Spanish stamp
The development of SATMAR is the result of a Collaboration between several Spanish entities specializing in the space and communications fieldsAlén Space leads the project and is in charge of the design and operation of the nanosatellite, while Egatel participates as a partner contributing its experience in transmission systems and radio frequency equipment.
For its part, the Gradiant technology center contributes its knowledge in advanced communications technologies, security and signal processing, fundamental aspects to guarantee the correct functioning of the VDES system in the space and maritime environment.
This collaborative ecosystem, complemented by the involvement of the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras and companies like Oritia & Boreas, highlights the role of Spain as a relevant player in maritime connectivity solutions from space, with the potential to expand to other European ports.
Funding for Ports 4.0 and its extension to other ports
The SATMAR project has the support of Ports 4.0 fund, promoted by State Ports and the Spanish Port AuthoritiesThis program, designed to foster innovation in the maritime-port sector, has been key to carrying out pilot campaigns and integrating the various technological and operational partners.
Beyond the Bay of Algeciras, Alén Space and its collaborators have planned conduct further demonstrations in other ports and settingsExploring different use cases tailored to the needs of each location. This aims to compare the system's performance in diverse environments and accelerate its potential commercial adoption.
The success of the campaign in Algeciras may open the door to Other Spanish and European ports are interested in solutions based on satellite VDESespecially those with high traffic volume or with operating areas far from the coast where traditional coverage is more limited.
Everything suggests that the work carried out on the SATMAR satellite and the Bay of Algeciras is laying the foundations for a new model of maritime communication, in which the combination of nanosatellites, VHF band links and environmental sensor networks will allow for the management of traffic and port services with more information, greater security and a lower environmental impact.
