Rydex News

Globe Wireless announced the availability of a new version of the Rydex software. Now branded GlobeRydex, the software is a ship/shore satellite communications solution for the maritime industry. Customers use the GlobeRydex software either through the public hub environment (a service where ships connect to a shoreside hub managed by Globe Wireless) or a private hub configuration (where the shoreside server is kept and maintained at the customer’s premises). “In past years Rydex has seen only minimal software updates. It was in need of enhancements and maintenance.” commented Shane Rossbacher, Vice President of Product Management with Globe Wireless. Mr. Rossbacher continued, “The first phase of improvements addressed the public hub infrastructure.

Globe Wireless announced that its Board of Directors has elected Frank Coles as its president and chief operating officer. Coles is a master mariner and holds a Master’s Degree in maritime law. As a qualified English solicitor, Coles practiced shipping law in London with Richards Butler and in Hong Kong with Stephenson Harwood & Lo. He moved on to become general manager of Pacific basin Bulk Shipping in Hong Kong, and spent two years as Chief Executive Officer on Rydex Industries Corporation, a company focusing on marine communications. Before joining globe Wireless, Coles was with Litton Marine Systems, serving as vice president, business development and information technology. Coles has been the managing director of globe Wireless for the last two years.

Providers in the communications and IT in shipping sector have been short-listed for innovation honors in the CITIS 2002 Awards. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner during the sixth CITIS event -hosted and sponsored by Inmarsat in London from March 18-22 - which also features a conference, seminars and an exhibition. The dinner will take place on March 19 at the Underglobe in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. In addition to awards in four commercial categories, International Maritime Organization secretary general William O’Neil is to receive a lifetime achievement award for steering the introduction of the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System.

Communications and IT companies in shipping were toasted at the CITIS 2002 Awards in London in March with top honors going to a daily electronic newspaper, an evacuation simulator, a collision avoidance trainer and a message management concept. In addition to innovation awards in four categories, International Maritime Organization secretary general William O’Neil received a lifetime achievement award for overseeing the introduction of the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System. The winners, selected by expert judges from a shortlist of three in each category, were announced at a gala dinner at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre during the sixth CITIS event, organized by Lloyd’s List Events.

Rydex released of Rydex Express, a new entry-level ship-to-shore email service. "Rydex Express is our answer to the industry's demand for a value oriented email service backed by the high quality technical support and product performance that Rydex is renowned for," said Rydex CEO David Lloyd. This software is fully user installable including automatic recognition of satellite communications equipment, dramatically reducing the cost of installation. "The user-install features of Rydex Express combined with the low-cost of entry-level PC's make reliable email service an affordable option for any vessel equipped with suitable Inmarsat equipment," said Mike Antoniak, Rydex' VP of Customer Service. Rydex communications software allows users to easily manage their ship-shore email activity.

Globe Wireless has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of SeaWave & Rydex. The transaction is aimed to create a maritime communications end to end solutions, and provide a complete range of services to over 8,000 ships and over 500 ship operators. By combining the Globe Wireless network and total solution with the innovative technology of SeaWave and Rydex the business will provide customers with the complete choice of systems, service and solutions for the next generation of communications platforms.

SeaWave&Rydex said that Thomas Darr was appointed Senior Account Executive for the Americas. Located in Virginia Beach, Va., Mr. Darr is responsible for selling the entire SeaWave&Rydex product portfolio, which includes the SeaWave Integrator, its fully integrated voice, data and remote management platform, the NavSeries voice and data system with built in satellite, GPS and GSM/GPRS/EDGE, the software-only rmx2 email/data solution as well as their pre-paid crew product SMSCrewMail. Other services include IT from shore, STAR vessel tracking, Notice of Arrival/Departure (NOAD/WETREP), full color weather and the mySeaWave Web Portal. “We are pleased to have Tom assume the role and responsibilities as Senior Account Executive for the Americas…

Rydex Corporation Limited, an Inmarsat Ventures subsidiary has appointed of Paul Jolley as sales director effective as of 12 August 2002. He has extensive practical and commercial expertise within the Maritime industry. After leaving school he trained and served as a Deck Officer for eight years. before being promoted into the commercial division. qualified as a lawyer, (non-practicing). company. Paul is aged 41, married with one Daughter aged 11. hill walking and renovating old properties. “Joining Rydex is everything I had hoped for. the market place. team, will tirelessly pursue.

SailorNews Services (P) Ltd and Rydex Corporation announced an agreement for the provision of news services to Rydex customers enabling seafarers to remain conveniently in touch with their families, and remain abreast with happenings at home and the rest of the world. Under the terms of the agreement, SailorNews will provide news exclusively to the clients of Rydex. With a worldwide network of agents and offices, Rydex currently provides ship-shore communications software and services to ships worldwide. Part of the Inmarsat Ventures plc group since 2000, Rydex enjoys the support of the leading global mobile satellite communications company.

With 1,860 miles of waterways, our neighbors to the north are no slouches in the maritime industry. In fact, Canadian maritime companies continue to offer technological and operational innovation. The Canadian coastline stretches out 151,492 miles, making it the second largest country in the world. Canada not only supports a thriving maritime industry, with exporting ships carrying timber, crude petroleum, natural gas and aluminum, but the country is also home to a variety of companies providing the means to allow these vessels to run smoothly and efficiently. In St. Catherine's, Ontario, Port Weller Drydocks is known for its extensive knowledge of engineering connecting the design, installation and testing aspects of inter-disciplinary projects.

Rydex has appointed KeySystems as its exclusive distributor for the Greek and Cyprus markets. The Athens-based company has achieved major sales success in the Greek shipping market with the MarineKey document management system. KeySystems belongs to the Hadji-Ioannou Group of companies that include Stelmar Tankers and the EasyJet airline company.

SeaWave LLC announced a definitive agreement to acquire the intellectual property and technology assets of Rydex, the Maritime Data Solutions business, headquartered in British Columbia, Canada. This transaction combines two leading suppliers of marine communications services and serves a current customer-base in excess of 2000 vessels. “Combining the collective competencies of SeaWave and Rydex will raise the level of products, service and support for both companies. Customers will be able to choose from an extensive line-up of value added products that will allow services to be tailored to the specific requirements of each customer,” said SeaWave CEO, Don Black.