Onboard Network News

Marlink has further strengthened its cyber security portfolio with the addition of CyberGuard Unified Threat Management (CyberGuard UTM) to secure its customers’ digital transformation strategies.CyberGuard UTM reflects the growth of cyber threats in the maritime industry and the need to protect people and assets across a broader range of digital solutions. In particular, the growth of new LEO and 4G/5G services with greater bandwidth speed and lower latency require increased…

Marlink said it has reached the 1,000 ship milestone for ITLink Monitor, its solution for simplified IT system monitoring and compliance.Marlink said its ITLink has been attracting interest from shipowners and managers in response to IMO2021 regulations, requiring ships to demonstrate procedures for maintaining cyber hygiene as well as much stricter voluntary schemes which require demonstration of KPIs for system patches and updates.Of the 1,000 ships using ITLink Monitor, 400 have already supplemented it with ITLink’s advanced managed services that provide enhanced cyber security functions…

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), a leader in mobile connectivity, has announced that it has shipped its 10,000th VSAT satellite communications system. This is the latest milestone for a company whose history of innovation in the maritime satellite communications industry began in 2007, when KVH introduced the TracPhone V7, the first maritime 60 cm VSAT terminal, and the mini-VSAT Broadbandsm service. Since that time, KVH has become the market share leader for maritime VSAT terminals (Source: Euroconsult…

Connectivity solutions provider KVH Industries, Inc. announced that Brazilian oil and gas transport company Transpetro has chosen KVH VSAT connectivity for the majority of its tanker fleet. Transpetro, which provides transportation for the Brazil's state-owned oil and gas company Petrobras, chose KVH’s TracPhone V7-HTS satellite communications antenna system with a five-year airtime contract for 45 tankers, including a combination of newbuilds and existing vessels. The installations will take place throughout the next 12 months in Brazil…

KVH Industries, Inc. announced that it recently shipped its 8,000th mini-VSAT Broadbandsm system. The TracPhone V-series satellite communications antenna systems utilize advanced satellite technology, including the latest high throughput satellites (HTS), to meet the growing demand for more onboard broadband connectivity.“Our newest HTS systems are in high demand throughout the maritime industry, and build on the strength and reputation of our entire product line,” said Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH’s chief executive officer.

KVH Industries, Inc. announced today that global ship manager Nordic Hamburg has chosen KVH’s new advanced TracPhone V7-HTS antenna equipment and the AgilePlans subscription-based Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) program to bring fast, global connectivity to its vessels. Installations for 13 vessels have been completed, with plans for an additional 12 through 2018.“The AgilePlans program provides the highest flexibility for our fleet and we were also attracted to KVH’s global coverage…

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…

KVH Industries, Inc. has shipped more than 7,000 mini-VSAT Broadbandsm systems, designed and manufactured by KVH to provide mobile connectivity at sea. The TracPhone V-series satellite communications antenna systems are currently in use on everything from small recreational sailboats cruising the coastline to 1,000-foot commercial freighters transiting the world’s oceans. KVH launched the mini-VSAT Broadband service in July 2007, and has seen the popularity of the service grow, coinciding with an overall trend in the maritime industry toward increased reliance on broadband connectivity. As recently as September 2016, industry analyst Northern Sky Research reported that KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband customers account for 29 percent of the vessels using Ku-band service.

Danish marine electronics company Danelec Marine informs it will oversee a working group in the European Union (EU) EfficienSea2 maritime innovation project designed to increase safety of navigation and efficiency at sea. The EU this month approved and set aside $11 million to fund the EfficienSea2 initiative, which is being spearheaded by the Danish Maritime Authority. The project consortium includes 32 partners from 12 countries. A key component of the initiative is the development of a “Maritime Cloud,” a communication tool that will improve the exchange of information for vessels at sea. The project will also yield an array of new digital services within the areas of navigation and automatic ship emission reporting and monitoring, to further increase efficiency.

KVH Industries is a manufacturer of solutions that provide global high-speed Internet, television, and voice services via satellite to mobile users at sea and on land. These solutions include the mini-VSAT Broadband network, TracPhone satellite communications antenna systems, and TracVision satellite television antenna systems. KVH is based in Middletown, RI, with research, development, and manufacturing operations in Middletown, RI, and Tinley Park, IL. KVH’s mission is to connect in-motion customers…

NavPlay’s Interactive App Provides Easy Way to Enjoy Navigation & Share Experiences Capannoli, Italy – NavPlay, an innovative manufacturer of iPad apps, announced today a planning, navigation and social media app designed to enhance the navigation experience, NavPlay. A complete, easy-to-use navigation app for iPads, NavPlay allows boaters to plan routes and navigate on C-Map by Jeppesen charts and satellite imagery. The innovative product provides access to a wealth of WiFi-networked vessel information and control such as instruments readings, weather forecasts, autopilot operation, alarms, and AIS details for collision avoidance, to name a few.

To meet growing bandwidth usage and Internet demand onboard its tanker fleet, RHL Hamburger Lloyd Tanker GmbH & Co. KG, of Hamburg, Germany, an international shipping company known for managing sophisticated, innovative tankers, has chosen KVH Industries, Inc., for its mini-VSAT Broadband satellite communications solution. Twelve oil and chemical tankers will be outfitted with KVH’s TracPhone V7-IP satellite antenna systems in the next month, with a potential for 16 additional container vessels to receive KVH systems.

Norway-based shipping company Fjord Line’s Stavangerfjord represents a new-generation of advanced and environmentally friendly Cruise Passenger Ferry with outstanding passenger facilities in order to operate both as a day and night ferry. The vessel is built to provide passengers with pleasant experiences, even under the harsh weather conditions of the North Sea. A modern and flexible interior design provides a capacity for 1,500 passengers (1,200 passenger during winter), and a total of 306 cabins on two decks provide first class accommodation and a variety of restaurants…

To serve its growing commercial maritime customer base in the Asia-Pacific region, KVH Industries, Inc. said it has doubled the service delivered by the JCSAT-1B satellite, which is part of KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband network. This additional capacity, available as of last month, will support mariners in the Asia-Pacific region, which includes some of the world’s busiest shipping routes, and is one of the fastest-growing areas in the world for maritime broadband demand. “The additional…

Intellian launched Aptus, a new graphical interface based PC software for monitoring and control of Intellian VSAT antennas which it says simplifies use and provides antenna operational data. The Aptus PC software is compatible with all Intellian VSAT antennas and can also be used on the 3-Axis TVRO systems. The software is connected via the onboard network, allowing for use with either PC through a simple one-click installation. Straightforward IP connection over the Internet from anywhere in the world and set-up…

The three-part series offers information for those researching, implementing, or determining the business benefits associated with offshore connectivity. Given the increasing importance of broadband connectivity for vessels at sea, KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) is presenting a three-part webinar series, “SATCOM 101,” to help explain the sometimes confusing world of maritime satellite communications. Commercial maritime business leaders faced with the need to optimize ship operations and reduce costs, address business challenges of crew retention and piracy, and adapt to regulatory compliance are relying on their IT professionals to provide better ways to support vessels at sea with improved connectivity.

Geolink announces the signature and integration of Oceancell GSM onboard network contract with Louis Cruise Lines, the largest cruise enterprise in Mediterranean and one of the key players worldwide. Louis Cruise Lines owning and operating internationally in total 10 cruise ships will rely on the Oceancell service to provide its passengers with direct GSM mobile services onboard its ferries.

Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) and Norcontrol IT entered into a three-year maintenance contract that covers the offshore VTMIS system at the Bay of Campeche oilfield located in the Gulf of Mexico off the Yucatan Peninsula. The Bay of Campeche is the largest oilfield in Mexico and the world's largest offshore oil development project. The VTMIS system installed by Norcontrol IT consists of two control centers and seven radar sites, all of which are covered by the maintenance contract. A large capacity, flexible and reliable VTMIS system is required at the Bay of Campeche for several reasons. The coverage area contains between 200-300 vessels per day, all of which have to be monitored to protect the pipelines: Especially important as the bay is only 40-50 m deep in most areas.