Communication Solutions News

David Clark Company is best known within the marine market for its wireless and digital headset workboat crew communication systems – the Series 9900 Wireless Marine Headset System and the Series 9100 Digital Marine Headset System. The company has over 20 years of experience designing and manufacturing boat crew communication solutions for a variety of workboats, e.g., patrol boats, fire/rescue craft, and offshore service vessels.But you may not know that David Clark Company started…

Marlink, a global provider of satellite and digital communication solutions, is implementing a fleet-wide migration of its smart managed network solution for offshore vessel operator Miclyn Express Offshore (MEO Group) to support its ongoing digitalization program. Under a contract of an undisclosed value, Marlink said it would outfit 102 MEO Group vessels with its Sealink VSAT solution, providing high throughput connectivity across the fleet, and enabling personnel on transfer and vessel crews to utilize connectivity for welfare purposes.

Maritime satellite communications company Marlink, the smart network solutions company, has completed the acquisition of the satellite communications business of Hellenic Radio Services (HRS).Marlink said that the acquisition strengthened significantly its position and footprint in the strategic Greek market and enabled the company to further expand its service and support operations to meet the growing requirements of Greek shipowners."Through this transaction Marlink has acquired the satellite communication assets…

Singapore based shipping company Pacific International Lines (PIL) is installing satellite communication, or VSAT, on its entire fleet as part of its digitalization efforts to enhance seafarer wellbeing and improve productivity on board its ships. Communications technology group Singtel said it is one of the partners providing PIL with communications and cybersecurity solutions for 33 vessels in PIL’s fleet.“As a progressive company, PIL is constantly looking for ways to achieve business excellence and optimize operational efficiency.

Intelligent remote communication solutions provider Applied Satellite Technology Ltd (AST) said it has entered into a joint venture with Wright Technologies, a provider of marine electronics services to the South Pacific markets.AST Group Managing Director, Gregory Darling, said the companies will jointly offer remote data applications through new technology and software to improve operational effectiveness.The newly formed company, AST Wrights Ltd, has its headquarters in Wellington, New Zealand, with offices in Auckland and Christchurch.The combined companies bring expertise in remote monitoring and control of fixed and mobile assets, extension of coverage beyond GSM, integration of radio and satellite networks.

Tore Morten Olsen, President Maritime, Marlink, discusses the pace and direction of high speed comms in maritime.Using metrics of your choice, put in perspective where we are today in terms of getting shipowners to adopt high speed communication solutions.The term broadband has been used in the maritime industry for at least a decade and if we are to follow the FCC’s definition which was upgraded to 25mbps from 4mbps (download) in 2015, then those high speed internet services are nothing of the sort.However, everything is relative.

Connectivity is the backbone of modern maritime operations as ships and boats at sea increasingly become connected. We recently met with Martin Kits van Heyningen, CEO, KVH, to discuss the evolution of communication in the maritime sector and so much more, as KVH is diverse and engaged in a number of markets -- including autonomy for 10 years with work on about 30 different  platforms for self-driving vehicles.To start, give us a “State of KVH” today.We started originally in the leisure market…

The global oilfield communication market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 8% over the forecast period 2019-2024, said a study.With the growing adoption of cloud-based services, oil companies are compelled to use oil field communication, said a report from ResearchAndMarkets. This keeps their offshore sites connected with the inshore site about production stats, which helps in better supply chain management.The smooth flow of materials is very important for oil companies as their profitability is highly dependent upon the turnover and downtime needs to be avoided.For instance, GE Oil & Gas, the service provider to oil and gas companies has shifted 350 of its applications to Amazon's cloud offering…

The latest lifeboat to join the fleet of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the main sea rescue service in the UK and Ireland, is the waterjet-propelled Shannon class, which the organization says is its most agile and maneuverable all-weather lifeboat yet to be deployed. Designed entirely in-house by RNLI engineers, cutting-edge technology has been used in this new boat to meet modern-day rescue service demands following the lead taken with the RNLI’s introduction of the Shannon’s sister lifeboat class…

GTMaritime has signed Marinesat as a value-added reseller to deliver its maritime-optimized communication solutions to vessels in China and other markets. The agreement with Marinesat is GTMaritime’s first partnership within the Chinese market.GTMaritime provides a range of technology solutions to the maritime industry that serve to enable effective communications over satellite, including maritime-optimized products for email, anti-virus protection and data transfer.In addition to providing IT solutions…

Among the most important considerations in outfitting any fast attack craft is the critical nature of crew-to-crew communications. With David Clark, MetalCraft has long had that box ‘checked.’There are many obstacles facing boat manufacturers involved in the design and outfitting of patrol interceptor type vessels. This workboat segment is characterized by incessant demands for advanced design and new technology to accommodate the requirements of high performance and increasingly complex mission protocols.

Satellite communication solutions provider Intellian said it has been awarded a contract by SPAWAR to deliver its new SPL100 antenna system to the U.S. Navy.The SPL100 antenna is acombined Ka- and L-band antenna system designed to provide sustained information warfare capabilities. The new antenna system provides enhanced capabilities in both the Ka- and L-band depending on operational requirements.Intellian said it was commissioned by SPAWAR to design, develop, and deliver the SPL100 product for the U.S.

Communications technology and services developer Rock Seven said it has partnered with Blue Sky Network, a provider of mission-critical, satellite-based fleet management, tracking and operational analytics solutions serving private, commercial and government customers worldwide.This long-term cooperation will support growth in Blue Sky Network’s maritime strategy, but additionally has ramifications for clients in the aviation and land sectors.Headquartered in San Diego with a wholly-owned subsidiary in Brazil…

The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) in New London, Connecticut, is the service's only command conducting research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) support for all 11 statutory missions. Since its commissioning in 1972, RDC has been involved in over 2,000 projects and initiatives that have significantly benefited the Coast Guard and the components of the Maritime Transportation System. As the demand for research and development capability grows within the service…

Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) SA and the Huawei Technologies SA are pleased to announce the contract conclusion for the modernization of the PPA network infrastructure. Huawei Technologies SA, after an international open tender, undertook the project of redesigning and replacement of the PPA's network infrastructure. More specifically, Huawei Greece, using optimal international practices and utilizing the latest technology products and solutions of the Group, will replace the existing network infrastructure of PPA, aiming to satisfy the requirements of the biggest port of Greece. PPA SA, by modernizing its network infrastructure, will enjoy network services of guaranteed availability…

Castor Networks has acquired Watum Solutions effective immediately, a prominent supplier of IT networks and satellite communication for the shipping and offshore industry. Watum Solutions is specialized in designing, installing and maintaining IT and VSAT systems on board of commercial vessels, offshore vessels and drilling platforms and is active in Europe, Africa, the Mexican Gulf, the Caribbean Sea and the Middle-East. By integrating Watum in Castor, a one stop shop for the shipping and maritime industry is created…

David Clark specializes in providing communication solutions for high-noise environments. The firm’s noise-attenuating headset systems are used worldwide in applications where clear communication is critical. All products are made in the USA at a 250,000 square-foot manufacturing facility with over 300 employees involved in design, engineering, manufacturing and support. A quality assurance system is designed to meet the most stringent testing standards to ensure product excellence.

MSC Cruises, a privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa announced that it has worked together with Marlink – the pioneer of business critical communication solutions for customers operating in remote environments – to launch a next-generation connectivity for MSC Cruises’ fleet with multi-band VSAT services. Working with Marlink, MSC Cruises will provide dynamic bandwidth to its 12 existing ships as well as the next-generation ships currently under construction, including MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside. No matter the itinerary of the ships, the bandwidth will be able to accommodate seasonal fluctuations…

Marlink has moved to a new office in Singapore in order to meet the growing demand for delivery and support of its portfolio of multi-band, business critical communication solutions for maritime customers operating in Southeast Asia. The original Marlink Singapore office was opened in 1998. The new Marlink Singapore office adds new facilities and potential while continuing to be a vital resource for local and international vessels through delivery of sales, installation and support services. The new office managed by Eric Jan Bakker, Head of Sales Asia in Marlink, includes a fully equipped support center operating seven days a week, in addition to live test, demonstration and training facilities, covering all of Marlink’s core connectivity services and solutions.

The commercial satellite communication division of Airbus Defence and Space has been rebranded as Marlink, now grouping all maritime and enterprise satcom activities under one brand. Marlink’s communication solutions for maritime and land customers are now offered through its established direct and indirect sales channels. Marlink said it will deploy a segment-based approach, ensuring expert focus, best-fit connectivity technology and solutions for its maritime customers in shipping…

[Press Release] Airbus Group SE (AIR) signed with French private equity firm, Apax Partners, a share purchase agreement (SPA) for the sale of 100% of the share capital of the legal entities comprising the commercial satellite communication business. The final closing of the transaction – subject to regulatory approvals – is expected to take place in the next months. Airbus Defence and Space announced in September of 2014 that a detailed and comprehensive portfolio assessment had defined Military Aircraft, Space, Missiles and related Systems and Services as its future core businesses.

With most offshore wells in Brazil located between 30 and 300 km from the coast, communication with offshore assets has not always been straightforward or reliable. Some operators and service providers still use traditional maritime VSAT services for coverage offshore Brazil, yet the introduction of Microwave radio has led to a much better level of quality and reliability in high-bandwidth voice and data communications. Claudio Paschoa, Maritime Reporter’s correspondent in Brazil had an interesting conversation with Arild Fotland, head of Ceragon’s Oil and Gas Division, about the advantages of Microwave radio communications for offshore operations in Brazil. Fotland joined Ceragon in 1978 and has been stationed all over the world.

Intellian, a global leader in satellite communication antenna systems, has been successfully selected as the hardware partner on RigNet’s recently announced contract to provide remote communications solutions to a premium offshore driller across its entire global fleet of existing and newbuild rigs. RigNet, a leading global provider of remote managed communications solutions, telecoms systems integration services and collaborative applications to the oil and gas industry, will provide comprehensive solutions across the customer’s fleet of jackups, drillships and semisubmersibles operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Asia Pacific, Europe and Africa regions.