Abstract: A system for communicating data among a plurality of ships is disclosed. The system comprises means for sending an inbound message from one of said plurality ships (501), via at least one geostationary satellite (503) and base station (505) to a control centre (507). Spatial information obtained from the control messages is consolidated by the control centre (507) to reduce traffic volume of outbound messages associated with inbound messages. Consolidated messages are then sent via base station (505) and at least one geostationary satellite (503), to a sub-set of said plurality of ships, wherein sub-set of ships are in at least one of the same (a) geographic region, and (b) adjacent region(s), as said one ship.