Inmarsat Maritime Safety Team Wins IMRF Award
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 âvolunteer and professional search-and-rescue (SAR) personnel from around the worldâ, the prestigious award highlights âthose who have shown excellence in their fieldâŚ
Remote Operations: Challenges & Opportunities
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.
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.âWe are thrilled to extend our long-standing relationship with Intelsat, which began in 2017 when KVH proudly became the launch partner for Intelsatâs FlexMaritime network,â said Brent Bruun, KVHâs President and Chief Executive Officer. âMore than 7,100 commercial, leisure, and military vessels worldwide rely on KVH and Intelsatâs FlexMaritime high-throughput satellites (HTS) to deliver connectivity, content, cybersecurity, and additional critical services.
Bruun Takes the Helm at 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 KVHâs 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.
Inmarsat's Satellite Services for OceanGate Expeditions' 2022 Titanic Survey Expedition
OceanGate Expeditions has announced Inmarsat as the satellite service provider for the 2022 Titanic Survey Expedition. Inmarsatâs Fleet Xpress high-speed satellite service will enable OceanGate Expeditionsâ 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.
Thuraya Launches Push-to-talk Comms Solution with Cobham SATCOM
Thuraya Telecommunications Company, the mobile satellite services subsidiary of the UAEâs 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 communicationsâŚ
SEA-KIT's USV Equipped with Innovative Connectivity Solution by 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 rangeâŚ
Mackay Marine Selected as Iridium GMDSS Global Service Provider Partner
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 Iridiumâs 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.Iridiumâs implementation and acceleratedâŚ
Intellian Launches Next Gen Tri-band Product
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.
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 Norwayâs 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.
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 preparingâŚ
Marlink Sings Pact with SES Networks
Satellite services and solutions provider Marlink has contracted SES Networksâ 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 SESâ 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,âŚ
KVH & Intelsat: On the Digitization Fast Track
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.
Marlink Japan Celebrates 40 Years
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.
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.
Maritime Operators Embrace Digital Transformation
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 processâŚ
VSAT Connectivity for Briese Schiffahrts Fleet Expansion
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 âOpen Top Eco 5000â 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 longâŚ
Rock Seven and Blue Sky Network Partner
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 Networkâs maritime strategy, but additionally has ramifications for clients in the aviation and land sectors.Headquartered in San Diego with a wholly-owned subsidiary in BrazilâŚ
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.
RedPort Global Unveils New Satellite Device
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 solutionâŚ
Globecomm Roam Delivers Maritime Connectivity
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. âTodayâs smarter ship operations call for smarter communications; owners and managers need to stay connectedâŚ
London to Host Interspill 2018
Now in its 20th year, and following a highly successful and well-received 2015 event in Amsterdam, this yearâs 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 spillsâŚ
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 nationâs 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.