Future standards for marine Ethernet networks

As the maritime industry becomes increasingly digitalised, the need for fast, secure, and standardised onboard networks is growing. Ethernet has become a key component in this shift, and two important standards driving development forward are IEC 61162-450 and IEC 61162-460.

What is IEC 61162-450?

IEC 61162-450 is an international standard that defines how digital communication between ship systems should occur via Ethernet. It is part of the IEC 61162 series and focuses on enabling data transfer between multiple transmitters and receivers in a network.

The purpose of the standard is to:

• Support data formats according to IEC 61162-1, -2 and -3 (including NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000)
• Ensure interoperability between equipment from different manufacturers
• Enable fast and reliable communication

The network is limited to OSI layers 1 and 2, meaning only physical components such as switches and cables are included – simplifying and securing communication.

Applications

IEC 61162-450 is used in:

• Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS)
• Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS)
• Radar and AIS systems
• Voyage Data Recorders (VDR)
• Autonomous and remotely operated vessels

Its Ethernet-based structure enables scalable communication with high bandwidth – essential for modern digital ships.

What are tag blocks?

In IEC 61162-450, tag blocks are used as metadata to authenticate and identify messages. These are especially important in networks with multiple devices, where clear labelling improves both performance and security.

Examples of tag block elements:

• s: – source (e.g. sensor ID)
• c: – timestamp
• a: – authentication
• *XX – checksum

In NMEA 2000, text-based tag blocks are not used; instead, metadata is embedded in the binary message format via PGN (Parameter Group Numbers).

What does IEC 61162-460 add?

IEC 61162-460 is an extension to the 450 standard and focuses on security, isolation, and network monitoring. It is particularly important in environments where systems are exposed to external threats or where redundancy and isolation are critical.

Key features:

• IGMP snooping to reduce unnecessary traffic
• SFI collision detection for quick troubleshooting
• 460-Forwarders that act as firewalls between secure and insecure zones

With increasing cyber threats to ship networks, IEC 61162-460 is a vital component for protecting navigation and control systems. According to industry reports, the financial impact of maritime cyber incidents has increased by nearly 200% since 2022, with average ransom demands exceeding 3 million dollars.

Conclusion

Together, IEC 61162-450 and 460 form the backbone of modern maritime Ethernet networks. With 450, we get fast and compatible data communication, while 460 adds the security layers needed for the future of autonomous and connected vessels.

Actisense and the future

The development team at Actisense is already working on implementing these standards in their PRO series of buffers and multiplexersuarter of 2026.