Business Critical Applications News

Uniwise Offshore, a Thailand-based offshore support vessel (OSV) company, has boosted cyber-security standards across its OSV fleet by adopting technology from Inmarsat, a mobile satellite communications specialist."With reliable connectivity delivered by Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress, Fleet Secure Unified Threat Management (UTM) provides Uniwise with end-to-end functionality to protect its network from cyber-attacks and intrusion via infected devices," Inmarsat said."In the busy Gulf of Thailand, where a majority of Uniwise’s OSVs operate, connectivity is a key requirement.

As maritime operators deal with challenging operating conditions, many are embracing digitalization as the most reliable way to lower operational costs and improve vessel efficiency.According to research conducted by Lloyds List Intelligence and Ovum, two-thirds of vessels use digitalization systems onboard. According to the executives surveyed, this is being driven by a desire to improve operating efficiency, with 88 percent already working toward that goal. As part of the process…

Antwerp based crude oil tanker company Euronav has signed a deal with Satcom Global for its Aura Ku-Band VSAT service. With Satcom Global Aura on-board, Euronav’s fleet will benefit from a global service that provides guaranteed bandwidth via a generous Committed Information Rate (CIR). The crew will experience significantly enhanced connectivity while business critical applications are supported with ease. During 2017, Euronav undertook a comprehensive series of sea trials using Aura and following excellent results decided to begin a fleet wide rollout of the service.

Dubai-based Topaz Energy and Marine has signed an agreement with Orange Business Services for a Maritime Connect solution that connects its fleet at sea and supports the corporate network. Topaz is an offshore support vessel company for the global energy industry. The Orange integrated communications platform increases the efficiency of the fleet, lowers cost and improves the onboard experience for crew. Under a three-year agreement Orange is initially connecting 39 vessels from the Topaz fleet…

Hamburg-based Leonhardt & Blumberg (L&B), one of Germany’s independent charter owner of handysize containerships, has become the first customer for Marlink’s new Sealink Business VSAT service. With Sealink Business on board, L&B’s fleet will operate using guaranteed minimum bandwidth regardless of the amount of data consumed, ensuring availability for business critical applications at all times. L&B will use its new on board communication capabilities to focus on operational improvements, including more electronic document handling and collaboration between vessels and shore-based personnel. While business processes are L&B’s primary driver for using Sealink Business, the company will also be able to improve its crew communication facilities.

The role of Inmarsat as sole provider of satellite technology performing to Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) standards is set for advancement, after an IMO Sub Committee decided to greenlight consideration of both FleetBroadband and Fleet One for formal approval. To date, Inmarsat is the only company which has received approval from the International Maritime Organization to provide the GMDSS data and messaging communications on which mariners rely in the last resort, currently via Inmarsat C and Fleet 77 services.

NSB Niederelbe Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG (REEDEREI NSB) has chosen Marlink to supply fully managed VSAT services including connectivity and an extensive business critical solutions roll-out for its entire fleet of 50+ vessels. The contract, signed early in July, positions Marlink as NSB’s primary provider of voice and connectivity services, supporting the leading German shipping company to continue improving its crew welfare and operational communication facilities with fully integrated services and solutions. In addition to the management of containerships, tankers, bulkers and offshore jack-up vessels, REEDEREI NSB, Member of NSB GROUP, is active in crewing of its own ships as well as vessels of other parties.

Access Management Portal (AMP) is now available in the Apple app store. BlueTide Communications (BlueTide) has released Access Management Portal (AMP), BlueTide’s second proprietary iOS app, on the Apple app store. AMP allows for control of wireless networks directly from an iPad device. Designed for Ubiquiti WAP management, AMP is like a fuel gauge for bandwidth. With the ability to monitor usage by network, devices in use by WAP or data use by WAP, AMP delivers a real-time snapshot of how bandwidth is used and by whom. To ensure business-critical applications have sufficient bandwidth to perform, AMP enables customers to block and reauthorize devices instantly. This feature disables wireless access to non-critical devices until business operations are completed.

MARIS and Orange Business Servicesa sign agreement to facilitate integrated and digital maritime navigation services. Maritime technology specialist MARIS and Orange Business Services have formalized an agreement to deliver Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (ECDIS) and maritime digital services directly to navigators via the world’s largest, fully-managed Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. Through the solution Current At Sea, the MARIS/Orange Business Services partnership unlocks the full potential of integrated, paperless maritime navigation and vessel operations management by basing it on the most up-to-date digital chart information available.

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…

New technology platform options for Marlink C-band users. Marlink is expanding its portfolio with the introduction of new C-band services on the iDirect platform, which will enhance network efficiency and open up new options for customers using SealinkTM global C-band coverage for business critical applications. The services will be among the first in the industry to utilise DVB-S2 with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) technology on regional, multi-regional and global maritime C-band. The implementation of a new state-of-the-art platform for Sealink global C-band coverage has been made possible following the recent upgrade of Marlink’s global VSAT network with the integration of iDirect’s Evolution® X5 Satellite Router and latest operating software release.

Stratos Global Corporation announced it has been selected by Stolt Tankers B.V. to provide a fleetwide, high-speed satellite-based communications network. Stolt Tankers is a subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen S.A., provider of integrated maritime transportation services.   The Stratos network will serve Stolt’s 75-ship fleet of tanker ships with services that include: Inmarsat B, C and Fleet; and Iridium crew calling. The network is custom-designed for Stolt to help increase the performance and efficiency of a wide variety of business-critical applications, including crew communications to support the recruitment and retention of well-trained seafarers.   (www.stolt-nielsen.com) (www.stratosglobal.com)

Marlink, the world's largest maritime satellite communications integrator has announced a new five year contract with German cruise company Aida Cruises, for the supply of its Sealink(T) satellite communications system. Sealink(T) will be provided to five existing cruise vessels and three planned new builds, the first of which will be in operation from spring 2009 with the others in commission in 2010 and 2011. The new contract is a continuation of an existing relationship in the delivery of Marlink's service to the Aida Cruises.

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)…

Infonet Services Corporation announced that it is delivering a global network to The Cronos Group, one of the top ten largest suppliers of intermodal marine containers in the world. The network is supporting software applications across the group's 16 offices throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. Cronos Group owns and manages a fleet of over 395,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of dry cargo, refrigerated, tank and other specialised containers. Through an extensive global network of offices and agents, Cronos leases containers to approximately 400 ocean carriers and transport operators, including all 30 of the largest ocean carriers.