Satellite Airtime News

EMC has taken orders to supply VSAT equipment and services for seven platform supply vessels in the North Sea as part of a four-year fleet agreement with GulfMark (Norway). The scope of supply for each vessel includes a 60-inch Ku-band stabilized antenna and below-deck terminal interfaced with the ship’s network and third-party GSM voice system. EMC will also provide the satellite airtime for crew welfare and mission-critical voice and data communications. The installations will take place over the next 12 months as the vessels become available. “GulfMark’s vessels operate in an extremely demanding market segment with rigorous requirements for uptime, connectivity, bandwidth, data throughput and content,” said Gilles Gillesen, president of EMC’s commercial marine business unit.

Newly available version of RedPort XGate satellite email and data services suite now includes PredictWind weather forecasting service, letting users select, download and view marine weather forecasts over satellite and cellular networks. RedPort Global announced the immediate availability of a new version of XGate, now including the PredictWind Offshore weather-forecasting app. XGate is an independent satellite data acceleration service letting people easily and affordably access accelerated email, web, weather data, social media and blogging wherever they go. PredictWind Offshore allows users to download and immediately view GRIB files, weather routes, GMDSS Text forecasts and Satellite Imagery.

Voyager IP, the Irish marine telecoms solutions specialist, has partnered with the Irish National Space Center to win a €500,000 contract to manage the entire satellite communications service for the Irish Naval Fleet at home and abroad. Voyager IP will provide the satellite airtime, technical assistance for the onboard systems and a 24 hour helpdesk from its base in Wicklow, while the National Space Center will provide the satellite network infrastructure. Simon Coveney TD, the Irish Minister for Defense, Agriculture, Food and the Marine, officially launched the new service.

Marine Atlantic Inc. (MAI) selected Imtech Marine Canada to replace its ship to shore wireless communication system. Given a short timeframe, installation took place in just three weeks. Owned by the Canadian government, Marine Atlantic Inc. operates four of the largest ferries in North America and sails between the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia on a daily basis. In the government tender for the contract Marine Atlantic Inc. requested a ‘reliable, up-to-date and scalable ship to shore communications platform.

So what’s keeping ship operators awake at night these days? Plenty, it seems. Sluggish recovery from a lingering worldwide recession, unsustainable debt loads, endemic overcapacity in most shipping trades, punishing freight rates, rising costs of fuel and regulatory compliance and a lingering sense that ships are not running as efficiently as they could. The last two topics – reducing fuel costs while complying with emission regulations and improving ship operating efficiency – will take center stage at SHIPPINGInsight 2014, scheduled for Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 in Stamford, Conn.

At SMM 2014, Danelec Marine is unveiling VDRConnect, a Web-based remote access service available with the Danelec DM100 Voyage Data Recorder (VDR). VDRConnect is a module that provides selective transmission of data from the Danelec DM100 via satellite to the home office. The module directly connects to the ship’s IT and satellite communication systems with no need for a separate PC. With VDRConnect, the onshore ship manager can log into an IP-based Web portal using a convenient…

DigiGone announced the introduction of a new videoconferencing service for crew welfare communications aboard ships at sea. The company’s new DigiCrew package enables the transmission of high-quality video via satellite, allowing crewmembers the freedom to see and communicate with family and friends ashore, no matter where their voyages take them. The service can be used for audio-only or text messaging as well. “Now, for the first time, there’s an affordable videoconferencing service for crew, optimized for transmission over narrowband satellite service,” said Michael Dunleavy, president and CEO. “Imagine the joy of being able to see your wife’s face or blow a kiss to your daughter on her first birthday from thousands of miles away.

DigiGone announced that its video communications system and software platform has been approved for use with Thuraya’s IP terminals. A mobile satellite services operator, Thuraya is actively rolling out the DigiGone satellite communications solution across their distribution channels in all vertical markets. Optimized for narrowband satellite channels, DigiGone offers high-quality encrypted video and audio conferencing, video streaming, Voice over IP (VoIP), IM Chat and file transfer using a small fraction of the bandwidth needed for other commercial video telecommunication solutions.

Software developer Diginonymous LLC and Maritime Medical Access Program at The George Washington University (GW) Medical Faculty Associates have teamed up to offer an advanced shipboard video telemedicine service for the international maritime industry to help clients meet the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) 2006 requirements for crew healthcare. The GW Maritime Medical Access Program and Diginonymous developed the Digi+Doc service, a maritime medical solution leveraging GW’s decades of experience and Diginonymous’ products to provide immediate, round-the-clock phone and video medical consults for ships at sea.

Telemar Group through its German subsidiary Telemar GmbH to provide broadband satellite communication for the 37-strong fleet. The Essberger Group, operating a fleet of35 vessels currently, is a diversified group with activities in t shipowning and shipmanagement, liner shipping and maritime related services. The contract encompasses satellite airtime through Telemar’s partner Vizada until 2015. Moreover, Telemar will - in a turnkey approach - deliver and install a customized hardware solution including FB250 terminals as per Essberger specifications (for 21 vessels)…

Connectivity and Communications Complete the Package. The complex task of operating any marine enterprise isn’t getting any easier. Financial, regulatory, operational, environmental and human resource pressures all increase over time. In the brown water, workboat world, these problems are exacerbated by the sheer number of smaller operators struggling to catch up with business requirements that have become increasingly sophisticated, and over a very short period of time. Keeping track of the new subchapter “M” rules…

U.S. Coast Guard Selects Stratos Government Services to Deploy Ku-Band Communications Network. Stratos Government Services Inc. (SGSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Inmarsat plc, today announced it was awarded a five-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) on June 17, 2011 to provide USCG Large Cutter Connectivity. SGSI will provide the USCG with Ku-band satellite airtime, installation support, teleport equipment and service, Network Operations Center support and training.

The Telemar Group through its German subsidiary Telemar GmbH is to provide broadband satellite communication for the entire Rickmers fleet. The Rickmers Group, operating a fleet of 102 vessels, is a diversified group with activities in the business fields of ship owning and ship management, liner shipping, investment and real estate as well as maritime related services. Today, the Rickmers Group employs more than 3,200 crew on board and more than 450 staff ashore worldwide. The contract encompasses satellite airtime through Telemar’s partner Vizada until the end of 2014. Moreover, Telemar will - in a turnkey approach - deliver and install a customized hardware solution including Thrane & Thrane FB500 terminals as per Rickmers’ specifications…

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.

Telenor Satellite Services announced that it has formed a new company, Marlink, to provide a wide range of mobile satellite communication services, mainly for customers in the maritime sector. Marlink will act as a 'multi-supplier' of mobile satellite airtime providing communication services from a number of suppliers, including but not limited to Telenor. Marlink will also provide traffic accounting services, hardware and value-added services. "Marlink will be able to provide customers with flexible communication package solutions matching their specific needs and choices in this rapidly changing market. "In launching the new company…

Globalstar, L.P. brought its next-generation strategizing to fruition with the release of full commercial access of its mobile satellite service in the U.S. through its distributor Globalstar U.S.A. With the recent demise of Iridium, and ICO Global Communications' ongoing recovery from bankruptcy, Globalstar's entry into the market is seemingly ideal. Vessel owner/operators increasingly rely on state-of-the-art communication tools to ensure safe, efficient operations. Much as has transpired in consumer markets, the wider availability of communication technology — and subsequent drive-down of equipment and airtime pricing — fuels airtime usage.

The competitive satellite communications market has taken an additional step toward consolidation, with Station 12 — an independent operating business owned 65 percent by KPN (Royal Dutch Telecom) and 35 percent by Telstra — leading the way having the intention of cornering the market. Station 12 recently outlined its strategy to double its size in the next three years, both through organic growth and acquisitions. Station 12 already claims to have 24 percent of the competitive Inmarsat maritime and mobile satellite communications sector, with current annual sales of $215 million. This is expected to rise to $500 million by 2003. The company is the largest customer and shareholder in Inmarsat, the leading provider of wholesale satellite airtime.

SatCom Group Holdings PLC, a reseller of mobile satellite communications, said its subsidiary O'Gara Satellite Systems Inc has won a 5-year contract, worth 10m in the first year, from the US government to supply satellite airtime to the US Navy. O'Gara, which is one of the five companies in the world certified as a Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO) awardee, won the contract following a tender. It has an existing agreement under DITCO to supply the government with other satellite services. SatCom Group Holdings chief executive Source: Thompson Financial

Shell has extended its current business agreement for global maritime communications via satellite with Marlink. The original agreement for satellite airtime and traffic accounting services, which commenced in April 2001, has been extended into 2004. Marlink provides the Shell fleet of 48 ocean going vessels with data and voice communications via satellite, permitting the ships to communicate with the companies Head Office in London, offshore facilities, and port locations. Marlink also provides Inmarsat Mini-M service aboard the vessels. This service provides for crew calling and e-mails, using a prepaid calling solution sourced through Marlink's preferred suppliers.

Vector Maritime Services has signed a partnership agreement with France Telecom for the provision of all Inmarsat Services including Inmarsat A, B, C, mM and Fleet. “We selected France Telecom because of their reputation for quality and working with their partners to provide the best customer service” said Paul Ashton. At the same time Vector have announced a partnership agreement with Broadband Maritime for the provision of VSAT services to ships. Broadband Maritime provide a global VSAT service for a low all-inclusive flat rate per month. Vector are also pleased to welcome Claire Mercer as Director of Airtime Sales, responsible for both Inmarsat and VSAT services. Claire’s career includes Nera and Marconi was previously with Xantic as Airtime Sales Manager.

Xantic has announced the signing of an agreement with Faslink Communications. Xantic will contribute satellite airtime and business support to Faslink, which is providing a new generation of communication facilities to banks and financial institutions across the Philippine archipelago. Faslink Communications provides complete end-to-end turn-key solutions to the banking industry. Working in partnership with Xantic, Faslink is now able to offer financial institutions in The Philippines a solution based on Global Area Network (GAN) terminals, with Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) capabilities. This will provide the missing link to banks located in rural areas, where the current communications infrastructure is neither economical nor reliable.