Corporate Network News

As the shipping industry undergoes major transformation, with operations becomingly increasingly automated, maritime companies need to consider more than just efficiency and safety when it comes to operations. The current global situation has resulted in a growing demand for crew communication, for both work and social purposes, alongside the ongoing need for optimization. All of this causes higher levels of traffic on maritime networks, forcing shipping operators to place an…

Russian maritime shipping company specializing in petroleum and LNG shipping Sovcomflot has chosen Orange Business Services to deploy an advanced Maritime VSAT solution on eight vessels.According to a press release from the the business services arm of Orange S.A., this initial rollout will keep the ships connected even when operating on the high seas, improving safety and optimizing navigation in challenging conditions.In addition, this solution will make it easier for crews to stay in touch with friends and family, which is essential to keep staff morale high.The first ships to receive the solution during this initial rollout phase are the Arctic shuttle tankers Mikhail Ulyanov and Kirill Lavrov, which are the largest oil tankers built in Russia.

Dubai-based Topaz Energy and Marine has signed an agreement with Orange Business Services for a Maritime Connect solution that connects its fleet at sea and supports the corporate network. Topaz is an offshore support vessel company for the global energy industry. The Orange integrated communications platform increases the efficiency of the fleet, lowers cost and improves the onboard experience for crew. Under a three-year agreement Orange is initially connecting 39 vessels from the Topaz fleet…

Following a June 16, 2017, decision by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that requires ship owners and managers to incorporate cyber risk management into safety management systems established by the ISM Code, COMSAT has announced its suite of cybersecurity solutions for the maritime industry. Recent events have underscored the need to protect fleets from harmful cyber-attacks. The new IMO requirement must be met prior to January 1, 2021. COMSAT provides enhanced security for data transmissions…

Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. (“GEE”) (NASDAQ:ENT) and Radiance Communications are deploying marine VSAT services for Nakilat’s fleet of LNG and LPG carriers. GEE’s EMC service line and Radiance Communications, an EMC maritime service partner and reseller, are supplying global Ku-band VSAT connectivity and content to enable a full range of internet, data and voice services for the vessels and crew. It includes a high-quality voice-over-IP (VoIP) system for the corporate network to lower the costs of satellite voice calls, as well as VoIP crew calling and an internet café solution for crew with company access control. To date, eight Nakilat ships have been equipped.

Nakilat, the shipping arm of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas sector, has entered into a contract with Global Eagle Entertainment Inc.’s Emerging Markets Communications (EMC) service line to provide marine VSAT services for vessels in its fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers. Under the contract, Global Eagle Entertainment’s EMC is supplying global Ku-band VSAT connectivity and content to enable a range of internet, data and voice services for the vessels and crew.

Supplier of integrated solutions for navigation, communication and connectivity PRONAUTAS has expanded its European and Asian operations into North America with a new office located in Charlottesville, Virginia with main service station in Houston. The official launch will take place at CMA Shipping 2015. According to PRONAUTAS, the opening of the new office reflects its continued global growth and demonstrates the company’s commitment to ensuring local assets are available throughout the American shipping industry. PRONAUTAS provides integrated solutions for navigation, communication and connectivity with more than 200 connectivity contracts, more than 330 newbuilding projects and more than 120 vessels on service and maintenance contracts.

Communications service provider MTN and global satellite operator SES have renewed a critical capacity agreement to deliver high-speed broadband to vital shipping routes throughout the Indian Ocean Region. In the interests of global demand for reliable communications and content services in the Indian Ocean, MTN has secured capacity on several transponders aboard SES’ NSS-12 satellite to offer reliable connectivity for applications as varied as the connectivity needs at sea. Corporate network services, passenger and crew communications and lifestyle entertainment offerings are being delivered to vessels travelling one of the world’s largest oceans and busiest shipping routes serving the African and Asian coasts and port cities in Australia and Antarctica.

In October, Morgan City-based and ABS certified mobile satellite service provider and marine electronics service company Delta Wave Communications added three new offerings to its already wide menu of products. Delta Wave has been named an MDL distribution partner for the Fanbeam Laser DP reference system and MDL’s Dynascan 3D mobile mapping system. Separately, a new agreement with KVH Industries introduces new, cutting edge VSAT and Broadband solutions to the Delta Wave stable.

Delta Wave Communications, Inc. is pleased to announce that they have signed a wholesale distribution agreement with KVH Industries, Inc., offering its V3 (the world’s smallest maritime VSAT terminal, V7, new V7IP and V11 broadband solutions, as well as direct billing and support capabilities. KVH Industries, Incorporated is a leading manufacturer of solutions that provide global high speed Internet, television and voice services via satellite to mobile users at sea, on land, and in the air. Their maritime broadband solutions offer global connectivity utilizing both Ku and C band technologies.

Consilium Marine Group, supplier of marine products and customer services, and Orange Business Services, integrator of communication solutions, have signed a high-level global cooperation agreement. Consilium will globally market Orange marine VSAT communication solutions through its 34 offices in 19 countries. Orange Satellite Services includes a VSAT satellite communication system specially developed formarine communications and that integrates vessels into a corporate network enabling access to all business applications as if the vessel is a terrestrial office.

Becker Marine Systems Communication has entered into a global distribution partner agreement with Iridium Satellite to integrate, optimize and distribute Iridium OpenPortSM optimized-bandwidth marine satellite systems. Under this agreement, Becker Marine Systems is fully integrating the Iridium OpenPort service with its unique umc.connect optimization server and its umc.global network managed services. This solution will be offered as “umc.connect skylink Iridium OpenPort+” to customers and partners. It will be completely integrated with the managed services of the umc.global network, providing one of the most comprehensive and universal communication solutions to the maritime industry today.

Inmarsat's FleetBroadband service was officially launched. It now forms a part of Vizada's broadband offering. platforms, fishing boats and many more. FleetBroadband is the latest addition to Inmarsat's Fleet family of services providing simultaneous broadband voice and data. It offers IP services via a standard IP connection at speeds up to 432 kbps over a shared channel allowing email, Internet and intranet access. such as videoconferencing. SMS service. vessel to the corporate network. to traffic levels. A single, dedicated link ensures high security and optimized transmission speeds. Satellite Direct is a Vizada fixed-to-mobile solution enabling shipping company employees, and agents on shore to inexpensively and rapidly contact vessels through a toll-free number.

Despite the critical role of the maritime industry in laying the fiber that connects the world to the Internet, the maritime industry itself relies almost exclusively on satellites for ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship connectivity. However, the networking protocols used to transfer data between computers do not operate efficiently over satellite links. This is especially true at the higher data rates that are starting to become more prevalent for ship-based connectivity, but even at low bandwidths, the noisy links typical of mobile satellite systems prevent the efficient use of expensive satellite time. Fortunately, a new class of products…

Despite the critical role of the maritime industry in laying the fiber that connects the world to the Internet, the maritime industry itself relies almost exclusively on satellites for ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship connectivity. However, the networking protocols used to transfer data between computers do not operate efficiently over satellite links. This is especially true at the higher data rates that are starting to become more prevalent for ship-based connectivity, but even at low bandwidths, the noisy links typical of mobile satellite systems prevent the efficient use of expensive satellite time. Fortunately, a new class of products…

Telenor Satellite Services announced that PGS Geophysical of Norway has renewed its global satellite communications agreement with Telenor through June 2005. Telenor first began providing communications via satellite to PGS in 1995. The current agreement calls for Telenor to continue to provide its fully-managed Sealink service to a PGS Geophysical fleet of 14 high tech 3D seismic vessels operating around the world. PGS Geophysical acquires, processes, markets, and sells high quality seismic data worldwide. Oil and gas companies use this data to explore for and develop new hydrocarbon fields and to manage fields in production. The Sealink system provides corporate voice and high-speed data communications…

France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications is enhancing its range of value-added services with a satellite-based VPN (virtual private network). The VPN solution for the Fleet family (Fleet-33, 55 & 77) enables maritime users to connect securely to their corporate business network on land, via either ISDN or MPDS transmission mode. It is based on a fixed public IP address that the user can request in order to simplify connections with its business network. The VPN connection via Fleet terminals enables the user to transmit data securely at high speeds (up to 64 Kbit/s), as well as access their everyday work applications securely.

On April 1, Xantic became the world’s first company to offer the new maritime Inmarsat Fleet 77 service globally. It is also the first provider to have its service commercially approved for global operations by Inmarsat. It is the service’s availability via the company’s Burum (Netherlands) and Perth (Australia) Land Earth Stations that allow Xantic to become the first LESO to offer a fully global Inmarsat Fleet service, spanning all four Inmarsat ocean regions. Approval for commercial operation was granted by Inmarsat at the end of March following a successful and extensive test program. Inmarsat Fleet allows several forms of rapid and effective communication…

SeaBird Exploration, a provider of seismic services, selected CapRock's new maritime service, SeaAccess Communications, as its satellite solution for three of its seismic vessels. The solution is designed to increase the overall efficiency of fleet operations and to enhance crew morale. The vessels will be provided with IP-based communication services such as phone and fax services, secure access to the corporate network and Internet and real-time reporting capabilities. Network monitoring, maintenance and access to CapRock's 24/7 help desk are also included in the managed solution. SeaBird will leverage the always-on connection to enable ocean bottom and shallow water seismic data to be shared easily between the vessels and technical experts located onshore.

SeaBird Exploration, chosen CapRock’s recently launched maritime service, SeaAccess Communications, as its satellite solution for three of its seismic vessels. The newly-developed solution is designed to increase the overall efficiency of fleet operations and to enhance crew morale. The vessels will be provided with reliable IP-based communication services such as phone and fax services, secure access to the corporate network and Internet and real-time reporting capabilities. Network monitoring, maintenance and access to CapRock’s 24/7 help desk are also included in the managed solution.

CapRock Communications on announced the launch of SeaAccess Communications, its new broadband maritime service providing always-on corporate networking and crew morale solutions to ships at sea. With SeaAccess, shipping companies can more efficiently operate their fleets, captains onboard vessels can leverage the corporate network and crew members can take advantage of services designed to help keep them connected. SeaAccess represents the next step in CapRock's commitment to further serve the specific needs of the commercial maritime market. The launch of the service builds upon the announcement of CapRock's new Maritime Service division that opened last year.

SAILOR introduced the new satellite communications terminal SAILOR Fleet77. The new terminal is for the recently launched Inmarsat satellite service Fleet77. According to its manufacturers, the SAILOR Fleet77 is a break-through in maritime communications. It enables ship owners to optimize business opportunities and minimize costs by integration of the entire fleet into a corporate network. Each vessel can stay on-line constantly at no charge from Inmarsat. Only the transferal of megabites will be charged. The vessel’s various needs for voice, fax, e-mail and Internet services can be covered by the SAILOR Fleet77 system. The Sailor Fleet77…

P.O. Aquamarine Engineering supplies titanium heat exchangers, and has done so for the marine industry for more than a decade. The shell-and-tube design have performed as main engine fresh water coolers, hydraulic oil coolers, refrigeration condensers and brine coolers. Blue Ice and TI-Hex heat exchangers all feature titanium tubes, titanium tubesheets and titanium waterboxes. Bldg. P.O. DuPont showcased its Corian Bas-Relief signature surfaces, a proprietary new technology that allows the material to be textured in an endless array of designs, at this year's Sea Trade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami, Fla. Corian Bas-Relief signature surfaces can be used in a myriad of vertical applications including wall cladding…