Communications Channels News

Satellite communications solutions firm Marlink has signed a strategic agreement with NORMA Cyber to strengthen the cybersecurity intelligence and resilience of its maritime customer base.The Norwegian Maritime Cyber Resilience Centre (NORMA Cyber) is a joint venture between risk insurance provider Den Norske Krigsforsikring for Skib (DNK) and the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association. NORMA Cyber provides centralized cybersecurity services to Norwegian shipowners and other entities and aims to be the leading hub for operational cyber security efforts within the national maritime sector.

A Danish-owned vessel that was boarded by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea on Saturday was spotted about 540 miles further off shore on Tuesday, according to a maritime cooperation centre monitoring security in the area.The Liberian-flagged oil and chemical tanker Monjasa Reformer was boarded by five armed people some 140 miles west of the Republic of Congo's Port Pointe-Noire. All 16 crew sought refuge in a safe room aboard, according to the cooperation centre.Danish marine fuels supplier Monjasa, owner of Monjasa Reformer, said on Tuesday all communications channels with the vessel were down. The company was unable to provide further detail on Wednesday for security reasons…

Pirates have attacked and boarded a Danish-owned ship in the Gulf of Guinea and all communications channels with the vessel are down, a spokesperson for shipping company Monjasa said on Tuesday.All 16 crew members sought refuge in a safe room onboard the Monjasa Reformer vessel, the spokesperson said.The Liberian-flagged oil and chemical tanker, which was sitting idle, was attacked on Saturday about 140 miles west of the Republic of Congo's Port Pointe-Noire.The vessel is operated by Dubai-based Montec Ship Management, which is owned by Monjasa.Montec reported the incident to a maritime cooperation centre operated by the British and French navies to maintain safety in the Gulf of Guinea.The operator is working with all relevant maritime authorities in the region…

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper expressed concerns about Beijing’s “destabilizing” activity near Taiwan and the South China Sea in a call with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, the Pentagon said on Thursday, the first time the two are believed to have spoken since March.The call came as U.S.-China ties have rapidly deteriorated this year over a range of issues, including Beijing’s handling of the coronavirus, telecommunications equipment maker Huawei, China’s territorial…

In today’s environment, the overarching challenge for the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry is to continue transporting the vital commodities that help keep our nation’s economy moving during a highly uncertain time, while taking all necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of our workforce as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve – in other words, to ensure business continuity, while recognizing we are not, nor can we be, going about business as usual.

If you are an American thinking Asia for converting a vessel, building a drydock or contracting a medium-sized newbuild, then Krzysztof Kozdron, Managing Director of Germany-based Schulte Marine Concept (SMC), is the man you need to speak to. Easy to talk to, the Shanghai-based naval architect and engineer knows shipbuilding from all sides. Parent company Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has owned and operated ships for 150 years, and he draws on that and his own 25 years of project experience.

AkzoNobel customers now have access to marine coatings data anytime, anywhere with the launch of AkzoNobel Marine Coatings’ International mobile app. The app provides customers with increased convenience and flexibility in accessing the company’s wealth of coatings data. It has been specially designed to provide access to application guides, technical datasheets, product brochures, information cards and regional contacts, as well as social media and blog posts. It is available on the Apple app store.

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, was awarded a $25.4 million full-production contract from Lockheed Martin to support the U.S. Air Force Global Positioning System (GPS) III Network Communications Element (NCE) for space vehicles seven and eight (SV 07-08). The Air Force's next-generation GPS III satellites will improve position, navigation and timing services and provide advanced anti-jam capabilities yielding superior system security, accuracy and reliability. "For more than 50 years, we have been a premier provider of spacecraft communications and navigation equipment for the nation's military and government agencies…

Navigate Response launched at London’s Baltic Exchange. The company’s round-the-clock services are tailored specifically for the global shipping industry and focus on managing clients’ messages across a range of communications channels including mainstream and social media. The new company is chaired by internationally renowned maritime expert, Richard Sayer, and led by Mark Clark, former head of public relations and media at the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The team includes leading maritime PR experts Mike Elsom and Bill Lines of sister company Navigate PR Ltd. Founded in 2004, Navigate PR provides comprehensive public relations services to a wealth of maritime businesses across a range of disciplines.

Celebrity Cruises has selected Digitas Inc., as its marketing agency of record, following a thorough agency review process. "Digitas' expertise in relationship marketing and loyalty marketing, as well as in the travel industry, will help us rapidly build our base of new customers and strengthen our relationships with guests who have cruised previously with Celebrity," said Celebrity Cruises Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Planning, Ares Michaelides. from other vacation options," said Michael Ward, President and Chief Operating Officer of Digitas. In addition to handling the full range of integrated marketing programs previously handled by WestWayne…

COMSAT Mobile Communications' (CMC) Santa Paula, California, earth station is celebrating 25 years of continuous, around-the-clock operations, providing the critical communications link for customers on land, at sea, and in the air. CMC's west coast facility provides Inmarsat satellite communications coverage from western North America, across the Pacific Ocean and into Asia, the Pacific Rim nations, New Zealand, Australia, and the eastern Indian Ocean. The Santa Paula station has served as a principal communications lifeline providing instant communications to ships at sea, aircraft, and to people located in parts of the world where there is no communications infrastructure. For a quarter century, Santa Paula has often provided their sole means of contact with the rest of the world.