Satellite Communications Services News

Maritime satellite communications services firm Marlink is equipping Solstad Offshore vessels with Starlink connectivity integrated with the Sealink VSAT, L-band backup, and 4G services."Solstad Offshore is the first offshore vessel operator on the Marlink network to trial Starlink testing the network in harsh weather conditions. In September 2022, the company completed the migration of its fleet connectivity to Marlink, including Sealink VSAT and 4G connectivity, and is now evaluating if this should be further extended with Starlink integration…

Inmarsat, a mobile satellite communications services provider, will roll out an Internet-of-Things (IoT) solution to more than 60 of Saudi-based Zamil Offshore's vessels in the Gulf area.The solution - powered by Fleet Connect and Fleet Data delivered through Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress - will allow Zamil to identify, trial and select the best solutions to meet vessel performance expectations set by its charterer, Saudi Aramco. The news of the deal between Inmarsat and Zamil Offshore follows a successful trial on the fleet’s anchor tug, Zamil 57.

Data usage on commercial maritime vessels has jumped more than threefold since 2019, according to new communications analysis by maritime comms specialist Inmarsat.Inmarsat said the study results underline the shipping industry’s reliance on digital connectivity to enhance operating efficiency and safeguard crew welfare during a period of unprecedented disruption to seaborne trade.The internal study undertaken by Inmarsat, which says it connects more vessels than any other provider…

In November 2021, GTMaritime published a white paper: “Maritime Communications - A look over the horizon.” The report, available here, is built around three broad Sections – 1. “Basics of marine Communications;” 2. “The connected ship;” and 3. “Special services.”Then, each Section presents a closer look at various topics. The “Basics” section, for example, covers regulatory issues established by IMO treaties and national agencies. It presents the terms and concepts that define satellite systems and networks…

Intellian's newly-launched compact v45C antenna has been qualified for operation on the Intelsat FlexMaritime High Throughput Satellite (HTS) service, delivering global connectivity to customers in the smallest package available to date.Satellite communications services provider Intelsat released the smaller antenna class for its FlexMaritime network on Wednesday, stating the service is geared for leisure, fishing and commercial maritime vessels globally.Previously, service providers…

Satellite communications services provider Intelsat on Wednesday released a smaller antenna class for its FlexMaritime high-throughput satellite (HTS) service geared for leisure, fishing and commercial maritime vessels globally.The new maritime mobility solution enabled by the 45cm antenna is designed to bring a new level of broadband connectivity performance and affordability for fishing, leisure, tugs and other workboats, as well as smaller or coastal merchant ships, Intelsat said.Small enough to hand carry aboard vessels…

Satellite communications specialist Marlink has been awarded a contract renewal to expand its Sealink VSAT service to international ship owner Transpetrol.The provider of satellite communications services for the maritime industry claimed that the higher levels of guaranteed bandwidth ensure global connectivity for 14 strong tanker fleet.The renewal secures access to Marlink’s global network and specially-chosen business critical VSAT solutions for the entire tanker fleet and two planned new buildings due for delivery within 18 months.Operating a sophisticated and diverse fleet from medium range tankers to Aframax and Very Large Gas Carriers on global routes…

KVH Industries, Inc., announced today that its longtime satellite capacity partner SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (SJC) has agreed to invest $4.5 million in KVH as part of the two companies’ ongoing commitment to deliver next-generation maritime broadband services. KVH and SJC intend to collaborate on value-added services in the area of shipping digitalization and improved broadband access at sea. SJC agreed to purchase $4.5 million of KVH common stock in a private placement at a purchase price of $11.95 per share…

A former contractor at the Military Sealift Command (MSC) pleaded guilty for accepting bribes totaling approximately $2.8 million in the course of a bribery and fraud scheme that lasted more than a decade. Scott B. Miserendino, Sr. pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard of the Eastern District of Virginia to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy, one count of bribery and three counts of honest services mail fraud. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 8 before Chief District Court Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S.

Satellite communications services provider Inmarsat said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), establishing a relationship to leverage the ‘smart ship’ connectivity offered by Fleet Xpress at the vessel construction stage. The agreement envisages the South Korean yard installing Inmarsat-approved terminal hardware and offering applications to cover remote machinery diagnostics and CCTV services, to leverage the satellite communications platform’s capabilities from the moment the ship is delivered.

Satellite communications services provider Inmarsat says that "in an extraordinary level of service uptake surpassing expectations," its Fleet Xpress service has secured commitments covering in excess of 10,000 ships within 12 months of launch. Fleet Xpress delivers a fully integrated dual capability of high speed, high capacity services (Global Xpress) together with high reliability safety-level services (FleetBroadband) in a single commercial package available anywhere in the world. "The demand for Fleet Xpress has been unprecedented since its launch at the end of March 2016, demonstrating that the market has been truly ready for the connected ship and the network supporting maritime business applications," said Ronald Spithout, President Inmarsat Maritime.

Global mobile satellite communications services provider Inmarsat has signed a five-year contract with Hapag-Lloyd to migrate all ships directly managed by the shipping line to services enabled for Fleet Xpress. Hapag-Lloyd, the sixth largest container shipping operator in the world by Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) capacity, will transition all existing ships that it manages in-house from Inmarsat FleetBroadband services to Fleet Xpress. The agreement also covers five 10,500 TEU vessels as latest new builds.

Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has signed a service and installation agreement with Radio Holland to support strong customer demand for rapid migration from Ku-based XpressLink to Fleet Xpress services. Radio Holland is a specialist in installing and maintaining maritime communications, navigation and automation systems along the global shipping routes. The non-exclusive agreement augments Inmarsat’s existing service partner and VAR arrangements…

SES S.A. has announced  that Satcom Global, a provider of global satellite communications services to the maritime and land sectors, will become a key partner for SES. The differentiated mobility solution will form a crucial part of Satcom Global’s new Ku-band VSAT service, Aura, providing seamless, reliable and high-speed connectivity to hundreds of maritime, offshore and land customers. The agreement provides Satcom Global with seamless access to SES's satellite fleet and upcoming next generation hybrid satellites with high throughput payloads.

26 July 2016: Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has announced that its partner JSAT MOBILE Communications has signed an agreement with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), one of the world’s largest shipping companies, to introduce the newly-launched Fleet Xpress service across the majority of its car carrier fleet. Existing Inmarsat customer MOL says migrating its car carriers to always-on, high-speed broadband connectivity will be pivotal in its continuing drive towards ‘smarter and greener shipping’ operations. MOL has long been convinced that the environmental performance of its ships offers a competitive advantage.

We are on the brink of an extraordinary revolution that will change our world forever. In this new world everyone, everything and everywhere will be connected in real time. We call this the Networked Society, and it will fundamentally change the way we innovate, collaborate, produce, govern and sustain. The development of integrated fast on-line computer technologies, new satellite link capabilities, and efficient cloud storage capabilities of information have resulted in huge opportunities for utilizing vast amounts of data for optimizing all kinds of operations.

Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services and Intellian, a global leader in satellite communication antenna systems, have announced a significant deal with EUKOR Car Carriers. The deal will enable EUKOR, one of the world’s largest shipping companies specialising in the transportation of cars and other rolling cargo, to take advantage of the latest technology offered by Intellian and Inmarsat’s new high-speed broadband Global Xpress (GX) network. EUKOR has selected Intellian’s latest GX100 terminals to equip its 27 vessels with regional connectivity powered by GX in the Indian Ocean Region. Once all three GX satellites are live and operational EUKOR will be able to harness the Fleet Xpress service on a global basis.

The leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announced that Maersk Tankers, the owner and operator of one of the world’s largest fleets of product tankers, has chosen to install Inmarsat’s Fleet Media maritime entertainment service on 30 of its vessels as part of a pilot scheme. Maersk Tankers Head of Vessel IT, Henning Madsen, said “We have chosen to install the new Fleet Media service as we wish to provide our employees with an entertainment system which is up-to-date, with the most recent content and frequently refreshed. Fleet Media is an innovative maritime entertainment solution, which uses Inmarsat’s satellite connectivity to download the latest in Hollywood movies, international films, sports and TV shows to merchant vessels anywhere in the world.

Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has signed an agreement with World-Link Communications, Inc., appointing the satellite services provider as a partner for FleetBroadband, serving the maritime market globally. Alongside the agreement, World-Link plans to strengthen its infrastructure and integrate with the Inmarsat network through an investment in building an Inmarsat Point-of-Presence (PoP). The plan will advance World-Link’s ability to deliver enhanced value-added services to its global maritime customer base, the company said. “World-Link is committed to delivering solutions that bring value and strengthen clients’ ship-to-shore connectivity,” commented Asad Salameh, World-Link-Communications President.

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, 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.

The Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications Initiative (AAWA), launched by Rolls-Royce and funded by Tekes (Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation), will bring industry partners together with universities, research institutes, ship owners and other stakeholders to explore the economic, social, legal, regulatory and technological factors which need to be addressed in order to make autonomous ships a reality. Participating in this project is Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services…

Satcom Global has launched a maritime system bringing seafarers up to speed with today’s ‘connect anytime anywhere’ culture, enabling those at sea to keep in touch with the rest of the world with their own device. The latest addition to Satcom Global’s product portfolio offers ‘Bring Your Own Device’ technology to vessels at sea, where crew can access web-based services via internet café hotspots through their own Apple, Android and Windows, tablets, smartphones and laptops. With the growing demand for technology and communications on-board…