VMS and Starlink: How to Meet Vessel Monitoring Requirements for Fishing Fleets

The Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is one of the pillars of European fisheries control. For many vessel owners, it is also a source of recurring problems: signal loss alerts, administrative proceedings and the uncertainty of not knowing whether the system is transmitting correctly when the vessel is far offshore.

Starlink Maritime eliminates the primary cause of these problems: unreliable connectivity. This guide explains how VMS works, what regulations require and how Starlink ensures compliance.

What VMS is and what it does

VMS is a satellite tracking system that transmits the fishing vessel’s position, speed and heading to control authorities. In EU member states, data goes to the national Fisheries Monitoring Centre (FMC), which in turn reports to the European Commission.

The objective is twofold: to verify that vessels are fishing in authorised zones and to detect illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activity.

Which vessels are required to carry VMS

Under EC Regulation 1224/2009 and national implementing regulations:

Vessels over 15 metres in overall length: VMS mandatory with automatic hourly transmission.
Vessels over 12 metres in third-country waters or on the high seas: VMS mandatory.
Smaller inshore vessels: increasingly subject to simplified monitoring requirements under national regulations.

The minimum transmission frequency is one position per hour, though authorities can require higher frequency in specific fisheries or zones.

The real problem: connectivity as the VMS bottleneck

VMS equipment on board generally functions correctly. The problem is the connectivity for transmitting data. Traditional VMS systems use their own satellite communications (Inmarsat C, Iridium), but when there are signal problems, power issues or interference, transmission is interrupted.

Consequences of a VMS interruption

Situation	Potential consequence
Unreported transmission failure	Administrative proceedings
Two or more failures in a period	Possible vessel detention in port
Failure while fishing in a sensitive zone	IUU fishing investigation
Recurring failure history	Reduced licence renewal prospects

Sanctions for VMS non-compliance in EU member states can exceed €60,000 in serious cases, with the possibility of vessel detention.

How Starlink reinforces VMS compliance

Starlink does not replace VMS equipment — it acts as an additional, more reliable connectivity layer.

Typical integration scenario

The vessel’s VMS equipment remains the same (Pole Star, CLS, or other approved provider).
Starlink provides the high-speed internet connection.
The VMS equipment uses Starlink as its primary transmission channel.
Optionally, the original satellite system remains as backup.

The result is continuous VMS transmission, without interruptions from coverage failures, with remote diagnostic capability if there is a technical problem.

Electronic fishing logbook: the other obligation requiring connectivity

The Electronic Recording and Reporting System (ERS) is mandatory for vessels over 12 metres, with progressive extension to smaller vessels.

ERS requirements include:

Real-time catch recording by species, zone and gear.
Data transmission to the flag state before landing.
Prior notification of port entry (minimum 4 hours in advance).

Each of these points requires connectivity. With previous systems, transmission accumulated until the vessel was close enough to shore for a mobile signal. With Starlink, transmission can happen from any position.

AIS: automatic vessel identification

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is mandatory for vessels over 15 metres operating in European waters. It continuously broadcasts the vessel’s identity, position, speed and heading to other ships and to authorities.

AIS does not require internet to function (it uses VHF), but integration of AIS data with fleet management systems or corporate tracking platforms benefits from the connectivity Starlink provides.

GMDSS: safety communications

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is mandatory for vessels operating in waters away from shore. It sets communication equipment requirements according to the sea area.

Starlink does not replace GMDSS equipment (EPIRB, SART, VHF DSC, etc.), but it complements safety communications with a broadband layer that enables high-quality voice and data communication in emergency situations that do not require activating formal GMDSS.

Is Starlink approved for VMS transmission by European fisheries authorities?

Starlink is a connectivity infrastructure, not the VMS equipment itself. What is approved is the VMS device (the black box on board and its software). Starlink acts as the communication channel between the VMS device and the fishery authority server. Most modern VMS devices are compatible with IP connection, which is what Starlink provides. Syntelix assesses compatibility with your specific VMS equipment during the initial analysis.

What happens if Starlink fails at sea? Does VMS keep working?

If the original VMS satellite system is kept as backup, regulatory compliance continues even if Starlink has an interruption. For vessels where VMS compliance is critical, we recommend keeping the original VMS satellite channel and using Starlink as the primary channel with greater bandwidth and lower latency.

Can I use Starlink for my electronic logbook without changing the software I currently use?

Yes. If your ERS software already works with IP transmission (which includes most modern solutions), Starlink simply provides the internet connection. No software change is required.

How long does it take to integrate Starlink with the vessel's existing VMS?

Standard integration is carried out on the same day as installation. Syntelix has experience with the major VMS providers in the European fishing market. In cases of special configurations, a second technical visit may be required.

Does your fleet have recurring problems with VMS transmission?

Request a free analysis — we assess your current system and propose the most reliable configuration for your vessel type.