Rupert Pearce News

Mobile satellite communications company Inmarsat confirmed commercial service introduction (CSI) of its newest, most powerful geostationary satellite to date. GX5 is the 14th satellite currently in service with Inmarsat and provides additional capacity to Europe and the Middle East on the Fleet Xpress (GX) Ka-band high-speed satellite broadband service designed for the maritime industry.The satellite, launched in November 2019, delivers approximately double the combined capacity of the entire existing GX fleet (GX1-GX4).

While debates rage in regards to safety, insurance and cyber security, the tech powering autonomous maritime operations continues to power ahead.Advances in sensor technology, data analytics and bandwidth-to-shore are fundamentally changing the way shipping works. And as operations are digitalized, they become more automated, Dr. Pierre C. Sames, Director of Group Technology & Research at class society DNV GL, has stated.Governments around the world are looking into unmanned shipping…

Satellite communications company Inmarsat has opened a new office at the Norwegian Maritime Competence Center (NMCC) based in Ålesund, Norway, to continue to drive the digitalization of the shipping industry. The opening of the facility in the heart of Norway’s leading edge maritime community, signals Inmarsat’s intention to intensify work with third party innovators and digital disrupters to exploit high-speed broadband via Fleet Xpress through its Certified Applications Provider (CAP) program, the company said.

The countdown to London International Shipping Week 2017 (LISW17) officially began last night with an exclusive launch reception held at the iconic Norton Rose Fulbright building on London’s South Bank. The launch reception brought together representatives from many of the maritime world’s leading organisations and figures from UK Government to learn of the aspirations, plans and exciting opportunities that LISW17 will deliver between September 11-15, next year. Addressing the 130 invited guests, Jeremy Penn, Chief Executive at the Baltic Exchange and Chairman of the LISW17 Steering Group, proudly acknowledged that London International Shipping Week had firmly established itself as a major event in the world’s maritime calendar.

British satellite operator Inmarsat reported a rise in revenue in the second quarter, more than reversing a dip in the first quarter, as its customers used its broadband terminals to improve efficiency in tough shipping and energy markets. The company reported a 6 percent rise in second-quarter revenue to $330.4 million and a 22 percent rise in core earnings to $202.2 million on Thursday, and reiterated its target for full-year revenue. "It a very solid performance, despite the market being quite challenging," Chief Executive Rupert Pearce said in an interview on Thursday. Shares in Inmarsat, which have languished since it downgraded its full-year revenue forecast range by $50 million to $1.175-$1.250 billion in May, were trading up 1.6 percent at 793 pence by 0817 GMT.

SpeedCast International, a provider of high-speed broadband connectivity to the global maritime industry, has entered into a strategic partnership with Inmarsat, positioning Inmarsat’s new Fleet Xpress service, powered by the Global Xpress (GX) network, as a key service within its maritime services portfolio, being fully integrated with SpeedCast’s existing maritime SIGMA gateway and other Value Added Services. Over the next five years, SpeedCast has committed to roll out Fleet Xpress to approximately 2,000 vessels. Under the strategic alliance, SpeedCast will work closely with Inmarsat in key maritime markets around the world to promote and roll out Fleet Xpress services to existing and new customers.

Maritime communication and maritime VSAT operator Marlink has signed a strategic alliance with Inmarsat, which will see Inmarsat’s new Fleet Xpress service integrated into Marlink’s existing service portfolio. Through the agreement, Marlink will bring more than 2,000 vessels to Inmarsat’s new Fleet Xpress service over a five-year period. Marlink said it unlocks significant operational potential for its Fleet Xpress customers by providing access to a diverse range of Value Added Solutions, including its XChange communication management platform with capabilities including Universal Remote Access for increased IT efficiency and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) for crew communication. “We’re delighted to add Fleet Xpress into our broad service portfolio,” said Erik Ceuppens, CEO, Marlink.

The satellite communications group Inmarsat plc cautions that with the slowdown in the global economy hitting shipping, satellite communications industry faces rough weather, according to a report in Reuters. The British company, which provides data and voice connections to shipping, warned that tough trading was set to persist in its maritime and government markets this year. "We are seeing modest growing headwinds in terms of global trade slowdown and increased scrappage and lay outs," Chief Executive Rupert Pearce said. The capital expenditure forecast is more than analysts expected, and came as Inmarsat said it had revenues of $1.27 billion in 2015, similar levels to 2014. Its revenues from maritime services were $593 million in 2015, down $2.4 million from the year before.

Inmarsat, has opened its new Singapore office, which is the company’s largest facility in Asia Pacific region. Inmarsat’s investment in the 1,700 suareq meter office in Toa Payoh, Central Region Singapore, sees the company’s regional hub providing a new solutions lab, demonstration capabilities, training rooms, a knowledge centre and support center, in addition to enhanced production and storage facilities. The opening ceremony was attended by Inmarsat’s CEO, Rupert Pearce, Beh Kain Teik…

Inmarsat welcomed the President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Xi Jinping to its London headquarters, as part of the President’s historic State Visit to the UK. The visit reflects the close working relationship between Inmarsat and China. China was one of the eighty-six countries that came together to found Inmarsat with a maritime safety mandate and over thirty five years later Inmarsat continues to contribute to safety and security in Maritime and Aviation and more recently during disaster situations in China. President Xi, accompanied by HRH The Duke of York, the Chinese Ambassador to London, Mr Liu Xiaoming, The Right Honourable Greg Hands and Inmarsat executives…

Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today confirmed that the third satellite in the transformational Global Xpress (GX) programme – Inmarsat-5 F3 (I-5 F3) – has been scheduled for launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12.44pm (BST) on Friday 28th August. The third Global Xpress satellite to be launched, I-5 F3, will cover the Pacific Ocean Region and will, together with Inmarsat-5 F1 and Inmarsat-5 F2, create the world’s first globally available, high-speed mobile broadband service, delivered through a single provider. Inmarsat’s 5th generation satellites have all been built by Boeing Satellite Systems International Inc. in California.

Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has confirmed that the third satellite in the transformational Global Xpress (GX) program – Inmarsat-5 F3 (I-5 F3) – has been scheduled for launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12.44pm (BST) on Friday, August 28. The third Global Xpress satellite to be launched, I-5 F3, will cover the Pacific Ocean Region and will, together with Inmarsat-5 F1 and Inmarsat-5 F2, create the world’s first globally available, high-speed mobile broadband service, delivered through a single provider.

Inmarsat has provided an initial update on the launch schedule for Inmarsat-5 F3 (I-5 F3) following the failure of the preceding Proton Breeze M launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Saturday 16 May. According to an announcement by Inmarsat’s launch partner, ILS, the Proton Breeze M rocket carrying the Centenario satellite suffered a disabling anomaly during the operation of the third stage, approximately eight minutes after lift-off, resulting in the loss of the satellite and rocket. A Russian State Commission has begun the process of determining the reasons for the failure. In parallel with the State Commission, ILS will form its own Failure Review Oversight Board, which will review the State Commission’s final report and corrective action plan, in accord with U.S.

Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, will complete another significant milestone in the delivery of its transformational global mobile satellite communications (GX) service with the scheduled launch of Inmarsat-5 F2 (I-5 F2) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12.31pm (GMT) on Sunday 1st February. Inmarsat is investing US$1.6bn in the delivery of Global Xpress, which will create the world’s first globally available, high-speed mobile broadband service, delivered through a single network operator. Inmarsat’s 5th generation satellites – which form the GX network – have all been built by Boeing Satellite Systems International Inc. (“Boeing”) in California.

In advance of the conference on aircraft tracking currently being hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Inmarsat has confirmed that it has proposed to ICAO a free global airline tracking service over the Inmarsat network, as part of the anticipated adoption of further aviation safety service measures by the world’s airlines following the loss of flight MH370. This service is being offered to all 11,000 commercial passenger aircraft, which are already equipped with an Inmarsat satellite connection, virtually 100 per cent of the world’s long haul commercial fleet. In addition to this free global airline tracking service…

Inmarsat inform that the US$45-million deal to buy Globe Wireless, the Florida-based provider of value-added maritime communications services to the shipping market, has been finalised. Inmarsat has confirmed that it has completed regulatory and other approvals in relation to its purchase of Globe Wireless, which included the business and substantially all of the assets of Globe Wireless, which in the twelve months ended June 30, 2013,  generated revenues of US$91 million and currently has an installed customer base of over 6,000 ships.

Astrium and Inmarsat have reached a strategic distribution partnership agreement which will see Global Xpress services made available to Astrium Services’ large partner and customer base. Astrium Services will deliver Global Xpress high-speed broadband services through its worldwide distribution channels. The strategic agreement will cover key vertical markets, including the maritime as well as the government and defense sector, initially in Europe. In due course the Astrium Services Global Xpress offering will encompass all service types – packaged services…

Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services, announced the acquisition of the business and substantially all of the assets of Globe Wireless LLC. Headquartered in Palm Bay, Florida, Globe Wireless is a leading provider of value-added maritime communications services to the shipping market. Significant operational synergies identified through immediate integration with Inmarsat’s maritime business unit, and which are expected to deliver a material improvement in profitability within the first year. Pearce highlighted a range of important strategic benefits associated with the acquisition. These included the opportunity to swiftly deliver significantly improved financial performance through synergies.

Inmarsat provider of global mobile satellite communications services, confirms the successful launch of Alphasat, the largest satellite, designated I-4A F4. Alphasat was launched on an Ariane 5 ECA, the latest version of the Ariane 5 launcher, from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana at 20.54hrs BST on 25th July (16.54hrs Kourou local time). Arianespace confirmed a successful spacecraft separation at 27 minutes 45 seconds after launch and the Alphasat Mission Operations Team confirmed telemetry reception and that they have command of the satellite at 21.47 BST.

Inmarsat plc, provider of global mobile satellite communications services, & RigNet, Inc. global provider of managed remote communications solutions to the oil and gas industry, agree a wide-ranging strategic transaction involving the appointment of RigNet to distribute Inmarsat’s Global Xpress and L-band services to the energy sector & the sale of Inmarsat’s retail energy business to RigNet. Under the terms of the agreement, RigNet will become a key Global Xpress distribution partner for the global energy sector and will offer Global Xpress and L-band services to RigNet’s growing customer base. In connection with the appointment, RigNet has entered into to a significant 4-year Global Xpress capacity pre-purchase.

Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services, said it has triggered an option to purchase a fourth Inmarsat-5 satellite under its existing contract with Boeing Satellite Systems International, Inc. The program schedule from Boeing has a satellite delivery date of mid-2016. The fourth Inmarsat-5 satellite will have a dual strategic role. Initially the satellite will serve to provide an early available spare in the unlikely event of a launch failure of any of the first three Inmarsat-5 satellites. As a result, Inmarsat will be able to achieve global service launch for Global Xpress (GX) more rapidly than if a replacement satellite were only commissioned following a launch failure.

Rupert Pearce, Inmarsat's Chief Executive Officer, said: "The results for the first quarter are in line with our expectations and give us confidence in our outlook. Strong subscriber growth of over 10% in the first quarter continues to underpin our expectations for improved results in 2012. Growth in our maritime data revenue resulted primarily from the impact of pricing initiatives, in particular as a result of the elimination of volume discounts previously available for older services where we are encouraging customer migration to our FleetBroadband service. In addition, we added 2,010 FleetBroadband terminals during the quarter, showing that take up of this service remains strong.

The launch vehicle blasted off from Pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and the first telemetry signal was acquired soon after by Inmarsat's Paumalu ground station in Hawaii, putting the satellite under the control of Inmarsat’s mission operations team. “The successful launch of this first Inmarsat-5 satellite is a major landmark on our journey to deliver the world’s first globally available, high-speed mobile broadband service. We are on schedule to achieve full global coverage by the end of 2014,” said Rupert Pearce, Inmarsat’s Chief Executive Officer.