On Board Communications News

Gregory Darling and Applied Satellite Technology (AST) works with shipowners to help them use their bandwidth more efficiently for ship business and crew needs.When Gregory Darling, Group MD, AST, worked in the marine industry in the 1980s with a marine survey company, he needed to get word to one of his ships off of West Africa to recalibrate its course and head off to a new job. But the ship had left port, and radio calls to the ship went unanswered, resulting in two days of lost time and revenue.“That was frustrating and costly…

European spaceflight services company Telespazio and the shipping company Grimaldi Group have recently signed two contracts to strengthen the satellite communications capabilities of the Neapolitan shipping group on its fleet of cargo and passenger ships.Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo and Thales, said in a press release that the first agreement provides for managing on-board communications for RO/RO, RO/RO multi-purpose and PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) vessels in the Grimaldi Fleet that operate between Northern Europe, North and South America, West Africa, and the Mediterranean.Specifically, Telespazio will take care of the design and supply of on-board systems for satellite communications and related broadband services, including backup, on a multi-regional scale.

Marlink has added the first out of four additional Stena Line ships to its multi-band communications network. Marlink now serves the entire fleet of Stena Line vessels, ensuring high levels of connectivity for passengers and crew, in addition to operational applications and commercial businesses on board. Marlink will also further increase available capacity to Stena Line vessels with an additional 10-15%, following the tripled bandwidth increase in June 2016, ensuring that Stena Line can meet the on-going growth in demand for bandwidth at sea.

MacArtney Underwater Technology supplied SubConn underwater connectivity solutions for the bow mounted sonar systems that are essential to the impressive undersea threat detection and response capability of the advanced FREMM frigates currently operated by the French, Italian and Moroccan navies. In close cooperation with naval defense technology contractors; Thales (France) and WASS (Italy), MacArtney has designed and delivered the outboard and inboard cable and connector solutions that interface all sonar elements and connect these to the on board communications and power network.

Maritime Communications Partner (MCP), the Telenor-owned on-board communications specialist, has announced the launch of VAVE, a unique digital business enablement platform for the cruise and ferry industry. The news follows the successful completion of an eight-month technical trial on the Corsica Sardinia vessel Mega Express Five. VAVE (Value Added Voyage Experience) has been conceived to bridge the digital divide between land and sea mobile behavior. By utilizing a vessel’s GSM signal and Wi-Fi network it creates a ship-wide onboard cloud that all mobile devices (smartphones…

German ship operator Hartmann Reederei chose Marlink to supply standardized Ku-band VSAT services to a diversified fleet of 74 vessels for an initial three-year duration. Hartmann Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG is headquartered in Leer, and encompasses the entire value-added chain of shipping, covering all activities in the maritime transport and logistics sector, as well as those in the shipping market. Upgrading its existing Inmarsat E&E services, Hartmann sought a new communications platform to cater for its most important needs: improve the crew retention…

UK based Buzz Marine, the suppliers of HubbaX mobile broadband for maritime applications, has developed a new system for its mini dome to allow automatic switch from a vessel’s VSAT communications system to its land-based mobile system on which the HubbaX operates. The changeover is delivered through an intelligent ‘switchbox’ which prefers the 3G signal, when no 3G signal is available VSAT connection continues. With the signal strength benefits of the HubbaX (up to four times more powerful and more stable than a mobile phone) connection can be achieved up to 20 miles offshore…

Scottish company develops vital new level of accuracy for locating casualties at sea. The new iPIRB, launched by MarineMTS and Telemar UK Limited locates and identifies marine casualties fast so that every effort can be concentrated on rescue and saving life. The technology was showcased  (Friday 16 November) at a launch hosted by the Maritime Rescue Institute at Stonehaven, and attended by marine industry operators including Taqa Bratani, Shell, Nexen, Marathon and Total, as well as Grampian Police.

Globe Wireless has acquired Zynetix, a UK-based company specializing in GSM solutions. Frank Coles President & CEO of Globe Wireless said, “Mariners will use personal GSM handsets without paying premiums for that convenience. By seamlessly blending IP satellite systems such as FleetBroadband, OpenPort and VSAT with the Zynetix technology, Globe has created the perfect maritime GSM solution. Ian Taylor, CEO of Zynetix commented, “We are delighted to join Globe Wireless at this exciting time in the maritime communications market. Specifically it enables greater focus and innovation in Zynetix’s two strategic business areas. This will accelerate the deployment of GSM on merchant ships, exclusively through Globe Wireless, making GSM a base-level expectation for on-board communications.

MR: What are the top three or four factors driving your offerings to the marine business today? Norton: Maritime customers across the board want increased bandwidth that will enable IP applications — from e-mailing to Web surfing and data downloads. Commercial maritime companies are also focusing on ways to make their satellite communications at sea a "business enhancer" in order to make their ships "floating extensions" of the company's LAN or WAN. At the same time, we are also seeing a decisive move by ship management companies to cut operating costs and selecting communications solutions that they can both use as a business tool on board the vessel and a way to improve crew morale and welfare…

SeaWave and Radio Holland USA, Inc., have announced a cooperation agreement. vessels. established services network. problems," said SeaWave Director of Sales Chuck Gibson. and Mexico," Gibson added.