Software Radio Technology (LON:SRT), the company behind a range of identification and tracking technologies used by maritime vessels, this morning reported that it had hauled in a string of new orders for its AIS Class A product worth a total of US$1.3m (£0.8m). The orders are follow-on orders from existing customers and will be delivered during the current financial year.

SRT said that mandates, such as those for the EU Inland Waterways and in Turkey, coupled with growing general awareness of the commercial, safety and security benefits of AIS, were continuing to drive demand from all parts of the world for its AIS module and OEM products.

Simon Tucker, SRT’s chief executive, said: “These orders from existing customers demonstrate our successful strategy of constant market and partner evaluation to ensure our potential market share of the growing global AIS market is maximised.”

SRT added the Class A product to its range of other AIS devices earlier this year in a move designed to meet the requirements of any market. In June, its technology was given formal EU, US and Canadian certification, meaning that it could start shipping the units to customers. At the same time, the company has continued to invest in its technologies, developing a new AIS architecture which should reduce the costs and physical size of the AIS products whilst also boosting profit margins.

Market demand for Class A transceivers is driven by commercial factors such as operational efficiency and safety, as well as specific mandate requirements around the world. For example, over the next 18 months the EU Inland Waterway Mandate requires certain commercial vessels operating along the Rhine to install an approved Class A transceiver by the end of 2011, thereby creating a single market worth approximately US$30m over the next 18 months.

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