Remote Operations: Challenges & Opportunities
Digitalization in the maritime industry continues to grow. Technology is constantly evolving, providing organizations with new ways to transform and manage their operations with adoption of technology creating first-mover advantage and future relevancy, and positivity impacting margins. The offshore services industry has been a major driver in the trend towards utilization of remote inspection and monitoring technology for Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (IRM) of critical assets and infrastructure.
Vroon Selects Blue Wireless to Deliver LTE Connectivity on Board its Fleet
Vroon announced it has selected wireless network service provider Blue Wireless to supplement connectivity on board its offshore vessel fleet. Blue Wireless is supporting the implementation and management of Cradlepointâs 4G/LTE solution, equipping more than 100 vessels and providing improved access to cloud solutions and maritime applications.As part of a drive to improve connectivity on board, Vroon is working to expand the use of Microsoft Dynamics, MS Teams and other cloud applications across our global fleet.
Data is the New Oil and Satellites Are the Pipeline
As the shipping industry embraces digitalization, itâs time for a new era of fresh thinking that recognizes the potential of satellite communications in delivering financial, environmental and safety improvements. If shipping awarded a âword of the yearâ in 2017, digitalization would have been a clear contender. The term has become a mainstay of commentary in maritime media and a key topic of debate at our industryâs conferences and exhibitions. But the reality is that digitalization is more than just a word or catchphrase thatâs captured shippingâs attention.
McMurdo Introduces Real-time Fleet Management
McMurdo has announced PRISMA Connect, a web-based integrated fleet management system that connects ship to shore in real-time for improved communication and operational efficiencies, as well as increased crew productivity with two-way messaging and electronic forms capture. The innovative system, which is based on proven Boatracs BTConnect and BTVessel software, is the first product announcement under McMurdoâs new suite of PRISMA (Preparation, Response, Identification, Surveillance, Management, Acceleration) software solutions.
Registration for SHIPPINGInsight 2015 Now Open
Online registration is now open for the SHIPPINGInsight 2015 Fleet Optimization Conference & Exhibition. Now entering its fourth year, SHIPPINGInsight is an annual maritime technology forum in North America that brings together shipping companies, classification societies, regulatory bodies, consultancies and technology suppliers to address technical solutions for the challenges facing todayâs maritime industry. The 2015 event will take place Oct. 13-14 at the Stamford Marriott Hotel in Stamford, Conn. âSHIPPINGInsight has achieved impressive growth every year since it started and 2015 will be no exception,â said Frank Soccoli, conference co-director.
Orange Joins EU Cloud-based Ship Management Initiative
Orange Business Services informs it has joined a European Union-sponsored initiative developing a cloud-based ERP platform for the maritime shipping industry. The platform will make it easier to manage ships at sea, improve safety and tighten business operations. This technology is a first of its kind in this space. Orange explains that as part of the EIS (âExzellenzinitiative Schiffsmanagementâ) initiative, Orange Business Services will be the sole provider for ship-to-shore, vessel-based and land-based communication infrastructure.
McMurdo Group Launched for Complete SAR Service
McMurdo Group was launched today as a new global company in end-to-end search and rescue (SAR) and maritime domain awareness (MDA) solutions. Comprised of Oroliaâs former Positioning, Tracking and Monitoring Division, McMurdo Group combines Boatracs, Kannad, McMurdo and Techno-Sciences, Inc. into the industryâs first, single-vendor provider of end-to-end lifesaving and tracking solutions including distress beacons, satellite connectivity infrastructure, monitoring/positioning software and emergency response management. âThe formation of McMurdo Group is far more just than a corporate realignment. It is an opportunity to lead, simplify and educate a fragmentedâŚ
Intelsat Contributes Communications Infrastructure for Relief Efforts
Intelsat S.A., a provider of satellite services, has provided an update on its satellite capacity and other critical connectivities being used in a number of restoration initiatives in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. Immediately after the disaster occurred, Intelsat began working with customers and partners to ensure that the necessary infrastructure and satellite capacity were in place to accelerate the restoration of vital communications for relief workers and businesses in the Philippines.
Harris CapRock to Use Intelsat EpicNG Platform
Intelsat S.A., the world's leading provider of satellite services, today announced that Harris CapRock Communications, a global provider of fully managed communications for remote and harsh environments, will utilize the Intelsat EpicNG platform on Intelsat 29e for advanced fixed and mobile services. Under a multi-year agreement, Harris CapRock will utilize the next- generation Intelsat EpicNG platform to expand its service offerings and offer new applications to its global customers across the energy, maritime and government markets. Harris CapRock currently has Ku-band capacity on multiple satellites on the Intelsat fleet, which will expand to Intelsat 29e when it is launched.
Stratos and Segovia Selected by MSC
Stratos Government Services Inc. (SGSI) and Segovia, Inc., wholly owned subsidiaries of Inmarsat plc, today announced they have been awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract by the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO) for the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Commandâs (MSC) Next Generation Wideband (NGW) commercial satellite communications (COMSATCOM) infrastructure and service. MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S.
Eutelsat grants Type Approval on Sea Tel's 4996T Model
After a year and a half development process that included antenna upgrades and a new one-piece radome design, Sea Tel applied for and was granted Eutelsat Type Approval on their 4996T maritime VSAT system. This is the first time that a complete maritime "system" including antenna, pedestal and radome has been granted Eutelsat Type Approval. "Being granted Type Approval from Eutelsat is extremely valuable to Sea Tel. We believe it will be even more valuable for our customers who will save many man-hours of required testing time that they will now be able to waive because of this Type Approval," said Robert C. Matthews, Sea Tel Vice President of Technical Sales.