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Satellite Services News

19 Oct 2023

Inmarsat Maritime Safety Team Wins IMRF Award

John Dodd, Director of Safety Services and Roger Barry, Safety Engineering Manager, Inmarsat Maritime, with the IMRF Award certificate. Image courtesy Inmarsat

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat business, won the 2023 International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) Award for Innovation and Technology in Maritime Search and Rescue after a highly respected judging panel led by former IMRF Chair Michael Vlasto selected its entry from a shortlist of 10 individuals and organisations.Acknowledging “volunteer and professional search-and-rescue (SAR) personnel from around the world”, the prestigious award highlights “those who have shown excellence in their field…

20 Sep 2023

Remote Operations: Challenges & Opportunities

Image courtesy Harvest Technology Group

Digitalization in the maritime industry continues to grow. Technology is constantly evolving, providing organizations with new ways to transform and manage their operations with adoption of technology creating first-mover advantage and future relevancy, and positivity impacting margins. The offshore services industry has been a major driver in the trend towards utilization of remote inspection and monitoring technology for Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (IRM) of critical assets and infrastructure.

18 Aug 2023

KVH, Intelsat Ink Three-year SatCom Renewal

KVH Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI), announced the completion of a three-year renewal of its satellite services contract with Intelsat. The renewal includes increased network capacity, the flexibility to support future bandwidth adjustments, and reduced service costs.“We are thrilled to extend our long-standing relationship with Intelsat, which began in 2017 when KVH proudly became the launch partner for Intelsat’s FlexMaritime network,” said Brent Bruun, KVH’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “More than 7,100 commercial, leisure, and military vessels worldwide rely on KVH and Intelsat’s FlexMaritime high-throughput satellites (HTS) to deliver connectivity, content, cybersecurity, and additional critical services.

23 Jun 2022

Bruun Takes the Helm at KVH Industries

Brent Bruun (Photo: KVH Industries)

KVH Industries, Inc., announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Brent C. Bruun as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board. The Board also appointed two seasoned industry executives, David Kagan and David Tolley, as directors of KVH.Bruun first joined KVH in 2008 and has served as KVH’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since March 2022. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of KVH beginning in 2016, as well as Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

02 May 2022

Inmarsat's Satellite Services for OceanGate Expeditions' 2022 Titanic Survey Expedition

The wreck of the Titanic lies roughly 400 nautical miles off the coast of St. John’s in the Atlantic Ocean - Credit: Inmarsat

OceanGate Expeditions has announced Inmarsat as the satellite service provider for the 2022 Titanic Survey Expedition. Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress high-speed satellite service will enable OceanGate Expeditions’ at-sea crew to instantly connect with scientific and operational resources anywhere in the world and to share important findings immediately while enhancing safety for the entire operation. Following the tragic loss of life in the sinking of Titanic, the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) was adopted.

28 Feb 2022

Thuraya Launches Push-to-talk Comms Solution with Cobham SATCOM

(Image: Thuraya)

Thuraya Telecommunications Company, the mobile satellite services subsidiary of the UAE’s flagship satellite solutions provider, Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC, announced it has launched its new IP-based radio communications solution, Thuraya Push-to-Talk (PTT).Thuraya PTT has been developed with Cobham SATCOM, a provider of satellite communications solutions to the maritime and land markets. The solution will enable users to extend the range of their voice communications…

24 Nov 2021

SEA-KIT's USV Equipped with Innovative Connectivity Solution by Inmarsat

Credit: Inmarsat

Maritime and offshore mobile satellite communications specialist Inmarsat has installed a new connectivity solution on SEA-KIT's uncrewed surface vessel (USV) Maxlimer using virtualized networks that the company says will establish higher standards for over-the-horizon uncrewed vessel control.The installation connects the USV Maxlimer to the best available network at all times by switching as necessary between Fleet LTE, Global Xpress (GX) and FleetBroadband satellite services when out of range…

08 Sep 2021

Mackay Marine Selected as Iridium GMDSS Global Service Provider Partner

(Image: Mackay Marine)

Global marine electronics and satellite communications provider, Mackay Communications, Inc., dba Mackay Marine, announced it has joined the select cadre of worldwide Iridium GMDSS Service Providers for Iridium’s new Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) service. Mackay is similarly a global partner with Lars Thrane A/S, the first, and currently the only manufacturer of an IMO-certified Iridium GMDSS terminal, the LT-3100S.Iridium’s implementation and accelerated…

28 Feb 2020

Intellian Launches Next Gen Tri-band Product

Photo: Intellian

Intellian announced the launch of its next generation tri-band product, the v240MT Gen-II antenna. Developed from the tri-band v240MT,  the new product adds many features, including the ability to operate multiple antennas via its dual data center capability, and enhanced Ku-band performance.The ability to switch between C-, Ku-, and Ka-bands, and between GEO, MEO and LEO orbits, makes the v240MT Gen-II truly vendor agnostic and allows customers to select the best and most economical provider at any time, without hardware modifications. The device is also modem agnostic.

09 Jul 2019

Kongsberg Satellite Services in Arctic

The state-owned enterprise Space Norway signed a NOK 618 million (USD 71.5 million) contract with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) for the delivery of ground station services to provide satellite-based broadband in the Artic.Space Norway owns 50% of Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), a company that reads data from satellites that are observing the Earth from space.The contract is related to Space Norway’s newly announced cooperation with the satellite operator Inmarsat and the Norwegian Ministry of Defence to offer mobile broadband coverage in the Arctic.The two satellites related to this cooperation are scheduled to be launched by SpaceX in 2022.

30 Oct 2018

EU-UNODC Cooperation on Maritime Security and Surveillance

The European Union and the Global Maritime Crime Programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC GMCP) have a long and effective relation in building capacities to tackle maritime crimes.The EU and the Global Maritime Crime Programme of UNODC started partnering in 2010 to support Eastern African states (Kenya, Seychelles, Mauritius and Tanzania) prosecuting piracy incidents off the coast of Somalia.Currently, the EU and UNODC GMCP are jointly working on  capacity building support in Somalia, including training and mentoring of the Mogadishu Maritime Police Unit.The Global Maritime Crime Programme is currently preparing…

23 Sep 2018

Marlink Sings Pact with SES Networks

Satellite services and solutions provider Marlink has contracted SES Networks’ fibre-like connectivity to enable new low-latency services in its enterprise portfolio, SES announced.With a highly differentiated range of satellite-based solutions, Marlink is expanding the options and value it offers to meet the evolving demands of its customers. The contract enables Marlink to leverage SES’ O3b medium earth orbit (MEO) constellation for big data applications that require fibre-like performance. With round-trip latencies below 150 milliseconds, the performance of MEO-enabled networks is equivalent to that of standard fibre connections,…

29 Aug 2018

KVH & Intelsat: On the Digitization Fast Track

Image: KVH

While the ship owners and ship managers historically have eschewed the push to increase connectivity at sea, the path to efficiency in the digital age is paved with a robust, high speed and affordable connection. KVH and Intelsat are cooperating to provide all that and more.According to the Crew Connectivity 2018 Survey Report, based on a survey of 6,000 serving seafarers and sponsored by KVH Industries and Intelsat, approximately 75% of seafarers can no use the internet at sea, a 32% jump in three years.

15 Aug 2018

Marlink Japan Celebrates 40 Years

Photo: Marlink

Marlink Japan, the Tokyo-based arm of global maritime communications specialist Marlink is celebrating 40 years in business this month. Established in 1978 as SAIT Marine, Marlink Japan is the second-longest serving foreign-owned satcom company in the country, and has been delivering communication services and support to maritime clients in the region for longer than any other company.With deep cultural understanding and local knowledge, Marlink Japan provides Customer Support, Technical Service, and Sales and Marketing for customers based in, or operating in Japan, Korea and Far East Russia.

12 Aug 2018

KNS, North Telecom Pact for Maritime Communications

Korean antenna manufacturer KNS has entered into a partnership agreement with Dubai-based satellite services provider North Telecom, under which the companies will offer each other mutual support in building market share in the maritime communications sector.NorthTelecom hopes to increase its footprint in the oil & gas, and maritime telecommunication sectors with the agreement,. The agreement gives KNS access to NorthTelecom's storage facilities for their antennnas at their warehousing facilities across the globe. NorthTelecom has entered into a partnership agreement with KNS, a leading marine antenna manufacturer in South Korea, as part of its efforts to strengthen its position in the South Asian market.

20 Jul 2018

Maritime Operators Embrace Digital Transformation

Courtesy of Intelsat

As maritime operators deal with challenging operating conditions, many are embracing digitalization as the most reliable way to lower operational costs and improve vessel efficiency.According to research conducted by Lloyds List Intelligence and Ovum, two-thirds of vessels use digitalization systems onboard. According to the executives surveyed, this is being driven by a desire to improve operating efficiency, with 88 percent already working toward that goal. As part of the process…

10 Jul 2018

VSAT Connectivity for Briese Schiffahrts Fleet Expansion

Photo: Globecomm

Globecomm has supplied its global Ku-band VSAT service to specialist shipowner and manager Briese Schiffahrts in support of its fleet growth plans.Long-time Globecomm customer Briese is undertaking a program of fleet renewal, constructing a series of eight ‘Open Top Eco 5000’ multi-purpose vessels, designed to consume 30 percent less fuel but with increased crane and cargo capacity.The first of four ships was christened in mid-April 2018 at Zhejiang Zengzhou Shipbuilding Co with three more of the 90-meter long…

14 Jun 2018

Rock Seven and Blue Sky Network Partner

SkyRouter (Photo: Blue Sky Network)

Communications technology and services developer Rock Seven said it has partnered with Blue Sky Network, a provider of mission-critical, satellite-based fleet management, tracking and operational analytics solutions serving private, commercial and government customers worldwide.This long-term cooperation will support growth in Blue Sky Network’s maritime strategy, but additionally has ramifications for clients in the aviation and land sectors.Headquartered in San Diego with a wholly-owned subsidiary in Brazil…

10 May 2018

Former MSC Contractor Sentenced in Bribery Scandal

A former contractor at the Military Sealift Command (MSC) has been sentenced to 87 months for his role in a bribery and fraud conspiracy through which he received nearly $3 million in bribes from approximately 1999 to approximately 2014.Scott B. Miserendino, Sr. plead guilty on January 24, 2018, to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services mail fraud, one count of bribery, and three counts of honest services mail fraud.Miserendino, formerly of Stafford, Va., was a government contractor at MSC, an entity of the U.S. Department of the Navy that provides support and specialized services to the Navy and other U.S. military forces. According to the plea agreement, Miserendino and Joseph P.

10 May 2018

RedPort Global Unveils New Satellite Device

Photo: RedPort Global

A new satellite device that combines the Inmarsat Fleet Xpress Network Service Device (NSD) with the RedPort Optimizer Enterprise satellite router and VoIP gateway was launched by RedPort Global.The single rackmount appliance will manage ship networks with satellite broadband routing, VoIP connectivity and crew services, and replaces at least three pieces of hardware that were previously required for Fleet Xpress installations.The innovative RedPort Optimizer Enterprise NSD for Inmarsat Fleet Xpress gives satellite service providers and ship operators an all-­in-­one solution…

09 Mar 2018

Globecomm Roam Delivers Maritime Connectivity

Globecomm Roam provides truly global cellular coverage, with coverage in all the territories shown on the map in red. (Photo: Globecomm)

Globecomm has launched Globecomm Roam, providing high throughput, low cost cellular communications in more than 140 countries. Offering 3G, 4G and LTE services at speeds of up to 100 Mbps but at prices much lower than traditional satellite services, Globecomm Roam bundles a cellular modem, global roaming SIM card and maritime antenna to enable connectivity up to 30 miles from shoreside cell towers. “Today’s smarter ship operations call for smarter communications; owners and managers need to stay connected…

29 Jan 2018

London to Host Interspill 2018

Interspill 2018 takes place at ExCeL in London this March – image from Interspill 2015 in Amsterdam (Photo: Interspill)

Now in its 20th year, and following a highly successful and well-received 2015 event in Amsterdam, this year’s industry-leading Interspill oil spill conference and exhibition is due to be held at the ExCeL in London, running between March 13-15. Co-located with the Oceanology International 2018 ocean technology and marine science conference and exhibition, Interspill 2018 provides a valuable forum, business and networking opportunity for oil spill industry professionals, academics and government representatives to discuss potential issues surrounding future oil spills…

22 Nov 2017

Connectivity for Brown Water Operations

Growing options emerge for ever-increasing data and Comms demand. In the United States alone, 625 million tons of cargo is transported along the more than 12,000 miles of commercially navigable waterways each year, moving vital commodities to and from 38 of the nation’s 50 states. The advent of subchapter M has raised the bar significantly for as many as 5,000 inland vessels, both in terms of safety and the need to document and more closely control this tonnage. At the same time, domestic coastal transport and offshore energy support vessels also face growing communications requirements.