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Marlink unveiled Sealink 60, a Ku-band VSAT service for smaller merchant, offshore and fishing vessels, designed to provide flexible, regional connectivity to vessels seeking to upgrade from L-band services.“The introduction of Sealink 60 marks a further evolution of Marlink’s VSAT services, since it will exclusively cater for vessels requiring reduced antenna size and maximum flexibility in terms of coverage and throughput,” says Tore Morten Olsen, President, Maritime, Marlink.

Shipowners who want to get the value out of data, applications and smarter shipping have realized that VSAT is the new L-Band, says Malcolm McMasterAt Globecomm we spend as much time as possible talking to shipowners about their communications needs. It’s always a rewarding conversation because we hear about what they actually do with bandwidth, which gives us insight into what systems and solutions might suit them best.Over the last decade that would almost always mean L-Band satellite systems; but this is changing.

KVH Videotel has announced a major update to Videotel Performance Manager (VPM) to now include fully integrated online training, making its content available whenever and wherever the seafarer is free.Alongside its Videotel on Demand system, KVH Videotel’s suite of eLearning material can be accessed online on any web-enabled device, with content automatically repurposed for mobile, tablet and web browsing.This flexibility gives ship operators and maritime colleges the ability to provide crew access to KVH Videotel’s material from any location with web access, enabling a higher degree of flexibility, as crew have more opportunities to complete their training schedules wherever they are.Additionally…

Marlink has doubled the burst speed on its Sealink VSAT services, enabling up to 3 Mbps for users on its data allowance packages, enabling faster Internet access and a smoother web browsing experience. New 40, 60 and 80 gigabyte (GB) data allowances have been introduced in parallel to the burst speed increase, enabling users with high bandwidth requirements to extend their smart shipping and crew welfare strategies with maritime VSAT network. Combined with the potential for faster Internet access, the new Sealink allowances enable significantly more capacity for smarter operational efficiency and enhance crew data communications while providing access to social media and web browsing.

EMC today announced a new global Ku-band VSAT package of connectivity and content for ships at sea, optimized for the next-generation high-throughput satellite (HTS) networks that are now being deployed. “Designed with crew welfare as a top priority, the new EMC VSAT platform offers a combination of services and capabilities never before available from a single marine VSAT supplier,” said Gilles Gillesen, president of EMC’s commercial shipping business unit. EMC’s patented SpeedNet technology solves the age-old problem of latency in web access at sea. Using a proprietary intelligent protocol and global backbone, SpeedNet predictively fetches, compresses and pushes multiple layers of websites at once to local servers.

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.

Marlink will provide BP Shipping with global multi-band high speed VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) services to support operational efficiency and crew communication across its tanker fleet. Under the new contract, Marlink will deliver primary communication capability on its flexible Sealink VSAT service, including MSS (Mobile Satellite System) back-up to BP’s operated fleet. BP Shipping was one of the first operators to adopt maritime VSAT services across its tanker fleet. The company’s current operated fleet will migrate to Sealink Ku-band VSAT. BP’s existing vessels will retain their C-band VSAT antennas, enabling Marlink to deliver a true multi-band broadband service with high availability of connectivity globally.

In early June, the shipping community met in Athens, Greece for Posidonia 2014. While the focus in Athens tends to be skewed more toward the night life and after hour parties, Maritime Reporter was able to dig out some relevant product and service news from the exhibition center. Wilhelmsen Ship Service (www.wilhelmsen.com/shipsservice) introduced its fuel oil treatment range and integrated welding safety products and services at Posidonia. Engineered to maintain vessel performance and engine efficiency even when slow-steaming or burning low sulfur fuel…

Astrium Services took a survey of seafarer’s usage of crew communication solutions in the commercial shipping sector to establish a picture of mariner communications requirements. According to Tore Morten Olsen, Head of Maritime Services, Astrium Services, the survey was illuminating in more ways than one, helping to shed light on modern comms usage for onboard business and personal reasons. MLC 2006 is here. What is your sense that ship operators and owners will incorporate an increased availability of communications solutions for seafarers? The MLC asks for “reasonable access to ship-to-shore telephone communications, and email and Internet facilities, where available.” The wording is quite soft. Plus it is located in the non-mandatory guidelines. So there’s some room for interpretation.

Neste Oil extended its VSAT services with Marlink while upgrading its network and on board satellite hardware. As part of the contract extension, Marlink is installing new VSAT antennas on all eight Neste Oil vessels whilst migrating the fleet to the established iDirect platform. The delivery, based on Marlink’s Sealink VSAT services also features multibearer support and the @SEAoptimizer solution, which is designed to enhance the efficiency of satellite data communications, optimize bandwidth utilisation and enhance the performance of web browsing and file transfers.

Marlink has been chosen by the CMA CGM Group, the world’s third largest container shipping group, to upgrade the majority of its fleet to WaveCall, Marlink’s standardized Ku-band VSAT service. In combination with the XChange solutions platform from Astrium Services, WaveCall will be installed on over 35 CMA CGM vessels, including the CMA CGM Marco Polo, CMA CGM Alexander Von Humboldt and CMA CGM Jules Verne, one of the largest container vessels in the world. As CMA CGM’s fleet covers global trade routes, extensive Ku-band coverage was a key requirement when choosing WaveCall.

Marlink is presenting its re-developed WaveCall standardized VSAT offering to the worldwide shipping community for the first time during Posidonia 2012. WaveCall services ensure that maritime transport companies can choose affordable connectivity according to different requirements and budgets, backed-up by Marlink’s multi-tier customer and technical support provided by experienced engineers specializing in standardized and customized maritime VSAT. “WaveCall services are already…

Global Marine Networks (GMN), providers of satellite data speed and services, announce the ability to update Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter via satellite phone, with the XGate Satellite Phone Data Service and a compatible computer. XGate Social services are immediately available to XGate subscribers in addition to accelerated satellite phone email, web browsing and weather data service. “Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are the way millions of people share their lives with others every day. Yet until now satellite phone users, who are often in the remote places or emergency situations where they most want to update others of their status, have found it hard to post to social media sites,” said Dr. Luis Soltero, President and CTO of GMN.

Vizada and Vizada Elite Partner SRH Marine Electronics S.A. have signed a 24-month agreement with Danaos Shipping Co. Ltd to equip the company’s fleet of vessels with a full broadband communications system. The partners will provide 1 GB connectivity over Inmarsat FleetBroadband terminals, connectivity will be further enhanced by Vizada XChange and the Vizada Crew PC for optimal internet usage. Danaos Shipping Co. Ltd is a Greece based ship manager which provides ship management services to one of the world’s largest fleets of containerships…

Globe Wireless, a leading provider of communications, operational and IT solutions to the maritime industry, today announced Marine Management Services (MMS) of Piraeus, Greece has selected the Globe iFusion as the communication solution for its fleet. Globe iFusion incorporates an Inmarsat FleetBroadband 250, a dual firewall, highly optimized IP connections and multiple least cost route gateways, allowing the user to make voice calls using GSM, send and receive email, and browse the Internet.

Marine Management Services Selects Globe iFusion for their Fleet. Globe Wireless, a leading provider of communications, operational and IT solutions to the maritime industry, today announced Marine Management Services (MMS) of Piraeus, Greece has selected the Globe iFusion as the communication solution for its fleet. Globe iFusion incorporates an Inmarsat FleetBroadband 250, a dual firewall, highly optimized IP connections and multiple least cost route gateways, allowing the user to make voice calls using GSM, send and receive email, and browse the Internet.

Stratos Global, the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, announced it has been selected by Reederei Claus-Peter Offen (CP Offen) to provide Inmarsat FleetBroadband airtime services for its entire fleet of 122 commercial vessels. CP Offen, based in Hamburg, is one of the world’s largest suppliers of modern commercial ships, including 122 container vessels, tankers and bulkers. CP Offen vessels are chartered by all of the world’s largest operators.

Stratos is First to Activate New FleetBroadband Pricing Plan for Single-Vessel Operators and Small Fleets.New plans meet high data-usage requirements of yachts and other vessels. Stratos Global, the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today announced it is the first Inmarsat Distribution Partner to activate Inmarsat’s new FleetBroadband Large Money Bundle for single-vessel operators and fleets with fewer than 10 vessels. The new Large Money Bundles offer the high performance (up to 432kbps)…

Hercules Offshore has invested in a satellite communications system from Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Hughes and Environmental Safety Systems International Corporation (ESSI) are equipping the entire Hercules Offshore fleet of Class 120 to Class 230 liftboats in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, with Hughes satellite-based broadband maritime services. These liftboats, commonly referred to as the workhorse of the offshore industry, are reliable, versatile, and self-contained. They provide a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional pipelay/derrick vessels. With their large, open deck areas, they are self-propelling and self-elevating. The fleet provides a work platform for a wide range of services from coiled tubing and wireline operations to well intervention.

Stratos Global Corporation, provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, announced it has successfully deployed an integrated, broadband crew communications solution for SE Ship Management Pte. Ltd. (SESM), one of Singapore’s leading ship operators and managers. SESM is a subsidiary of SE Shipping Lines Pte. Ltd. (SESL). The Stratos solution includes the deployment of its AmosConnect Crew communications application on the Inmarsat FleetBroadband 150 (FB150) mobile satellite platform. The solution is installed on the SESL vessels SE Pelagica and SE Potentia – both of which are heavy-lift, multipurpose dry cargo vessels that operate worldwide. Inmarsat’s entry-level FB150 service combines a telephone connection with simultaneous IP data at up to 150kbps.

Inmarsat has presented the type approval certificate for SAILOR 150 FleetBroadband to Thrane & Thrane during the satcom equipment manufacturer's Global Partner Conference, held in Copenhagen in June. SAILOR 150 FleetBroadband will be offered as part of Inmarsat's FleetBroadband service, which is aimed at professional single user applications such as workboats or fishing vessels, in addition to recreational boats, both power and sail. The system is designed for fulfilling reporting requirements, diagnosing faults, and web browsing.

Stratos Global Corporation, global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, has successfully completed an Inmarsat FleetBroadband field trial with Spain’s Albacora Group. The three-month field trial was conducted onboard the Albacora tuna fishing vessel Albatun Dos in the Indian Ocean. Stratos channel partner Satlink managed the installation of a FleetBroadband 250 terminal manufactured by JRC, which was integrated with the vessel’s local-area network. The successful trial led to Albacora Group retaining the FleetBroadband from Stratos system, which it will use to manage the Albatun Dos’ daily operations at sea.

Marlink, maritime satellite communications integrator, has signed a 60-month agreement to provide the Sealink Maritime VSAT solution to the Norwegian Offshore company Solstad Shipping. The Solstad fleet of 23 vessels will use Sealink Maritime VSAT and other services from the Marlink portfolio. In recent years, Solstad has evaluated several alternatives to the Sealink VSAT services, but the flexibility of the Sealink Services, together with the support that Solstad Shipping receives from Sealink Operation (Eik Teleport)…