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Data Services News

21 Feb 2024

EMSA Taps Spire to Continue SAT-AIS Data Services

© owr / Adobe Stock

Spire Global, Inc., a provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, reports it has been awarded two framework contracts by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) with a maximum overall budget of €8.4 million. Concurrent with the framework award, Spire received two specific awards that total multi-million euros under the framework contracts. Under the contracts, Spire will provide space-based automatic identification system (SAT-AIS) data services for ship tracking over a four-year period, including real-time, standard and high-density backup SAT-AIS.

03 May 2023

Kongsberg Digital's 'Vessel Insight' Receives Double Certification from ABS

Credit; Kongsberg Digital

Kongsberg Digital's cloud infrastructure Vessel Insight has received the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Product Design Assessment Certificate for SMART (INF) for data infrastructure in accordance with the ABS Smart Functions Guide, in addition to ABS CyberSafety PDA certification. This is the first time ABS has awarded this combination of endorsements to a single product.According to Kongsberg Digital, Vessel Insight is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that provides vessel-to-cloud data infrastructure…

23 Jan 2023

Marlink to Provide Hybrid Network Connectivity to 100 Ships operated by Thome Group

©Marlink

Maritime communications specialist Marlink has signed an agreement to provide hybrid network connectivity services to at least 100 ships operated by shipmanager Thome Group. The contract will guarantee that the vessels are equipped with Marlink’s high speed VSAT service as well as L-band back-up to ensure flexible guaranteed bandwidth at all times. Based in Singapore, the Thome Group provides integrated ship management services, as well as offshore management, oil and gas marine services and crewing.The company has about 200 vessels under full technical management.

03 Jan 2023

Gladding-Hearn Refitting Ferry for Government of Bermuda

(Photo: Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding)

The Government of Bermuda’s Marine and Port Services has chosen Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, to undertake a major refit of the 700-passenger ferry Bermudian. Built in 1988, the 118’ steel vessel completed the 635-mile crossing of the North Atlantic, arriving at the Somerset, Mass. shipyard, this week. With engineering and project management by Gladding-Hearn and Propulsion Data Services, and Class oversight by Lloyd’s Register, the refit is scheduled for completion in mid-2023.Among the myriad items to be removed…

04 Oct 2022

Orbcomm Wins Two U.S. Gov't Agency Contracts for Ship Tracking Services

Credit: Orbcomm

Orbcomm Inc., a global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, has been awarded a multi-year contract by a U.S. government agency for a competitive renewal of its global Automatic Identification System (AIS) data services used for ship tracking and other maritime navigational and safety efforts. In addition, Orbcomm was awarded a separate competitive contract to deliver AIS services to multiple other U.S. government users.Orbcomm's AIS data will continue to be used in a maritime domain awareness software platform that supports key U.S.

30 Aug 2022

Cobham Satcom Launches Two New THOR 7 Ka-band Antennas

Credit: Cobham Satcom

Cobham Satcom, provider of radio and satellite communications solutions to the maritime and land has expanded its SAILOR XTR portfolio with the introduction of two new Ka-band antenna systems for Telenor Satellite’s THOR 7 VSAT services.The one-meter SAILOR 1000 XTR Ka and 65-centimeter SAILOR 600 XTR Ka leverage Cobham Satcom’s most advanced VSAT technology platform to secure high availability of broadband service on the THOR 7 satellite, used for a full range of network applications…

08 Mar 2022

ChartWorld Suspends Services to Russian Vessels and Companies

© Taras / Adobe Stock

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ChartWorld has announced the suspension of ECDIS, chart, and navigation data services to Russian-owned and managed vessels. Current vessels will be provided with chart updates to allow them to reach the next port safely but have been asked to find new suppliers for all future voyages. The group's other companies, including navigation and ENC software development company SevenCs, have also suspended all projects and software deliveries to Russian companies and vessels.Steven Schootbrugge…

03 Sep 2021

Insurers Bracing for $1B Hit from Hurricane Ida Damage to Offshore Facilities

Platforms in the Gulf of Mexico - Credit: Mosto/AdobeStock

Insurers are bracing for a hit of about $1 billion from physical damage to offshore rigs and structures from Hurricane Ida, according to preliminary estimates from U.S. property data and analytics company CoreLogic.The estimate did not include losses from production disruption and could be revised over time, a spokesperson for CoreLogic said.The volume of oil shut in by the hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico rose to 1.7 million barrels per day of offshore output, up 240,000 barrels from Wednesday…

06 May 2021

Seismic Data Firm CGG Launches Pollution Monitoring Solution

Credit; CGG

French firm CGG, best known for its seismic data services for oil and gas exploration, has now launched a maritime pollution monitoring solution named SeaScope."Combining expertise in remote sensing science, Earth observation data, machine learning and high-performance computing, SeaScope provides critical sea surface slick intelligence for a range of industries to strengthen situational awareness of the interaction between offshore assets, coastal facilities, local vessel activity and the natural marine environment…

03 Mar 2021

exactEarth to Provide AIS Services for MDA's Dark Vessel Detection Program

© Stanislav Komogorov / Adobe Stock

exactEarth Ltd. has signed an agreement with MDA to provide advanced Satellite-AIS data services as part of MDA's recently announced Dark Vessel Detection (DVD) program for the Government of Canada. The DVD program is intended to detect and identify vessels that have switched off their AIS transponders and are engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.IUU fishing is a global problem that results in significant economic loss—estimated at $23 billion per year…

30 Dec 2020

Marine News' Top Boats of 2020: James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla

(Photo: Maid of the Mist)

Christopher Glynn had known for some time that he wanted to build all-electric vessels for his Niagara Falls tour boat company Maid of the Mist. In January 2018 he decided in earnest that he was going to make it happen.But where to begin? Fully electric ferries had never been built in North America, so Maid of the Mist would be plying uncharted waters. Glynn, the company’s president, said he and his team started by doing their research—a lot of research—and by hiring a team of consultants to help weigh their options.Inspired by the world’s first all-electric ferry…

10 Nov 2020

ChartWorld Updates MyRA Routing Service

(Image: ChartWorld)

ChartWorld announced the latest round of updates to its digital routing service, My Route Appraisal (MyRA). MyRA provides both vessels and onshore personnel with a proposed ECDIS-ready voyage plan. The plan is based on a route network, port databases, bathymetry from ENCs, weather forecasts and the relevant ship model.The MyRA version 1.4 release rolled out in October 2020 includes the following improvements:•    Further simplification of the install process•    Advanced routing algorithm…

06 Jul 2020

exactEarth Tallies $5.2 Mln AIS Data Deal

© joyt / Adobe Stock

Satellite-AIS data services provider exactEarth Ltd. said it has expanded an alliance agreement with one of its existing channel partners.The amended agreement extends the current deal between the companies by 3.5 years to December 2023. exactEarth estimates that this amended agreement will generate additional incremental revenues of approximately $7 million CAD ($5.2 million), or $2 million CAD ($1.5 million) per year on an annualized basis.Under the terms of the new agreement…

16 Apr 2020

De Boer Marine Delivers Managed Data Services

Photo: De Boer Marine

De Boer Marine is now offering managed data services to its international maritime clients by leveraging SES Networks’ connectivity and its Skala Global Platform.Crew and operators will stay connected to their friends and family anytime, anywhere, while De Boer Marine and fleet operators will benefit from flexible bandwidth management, advanced automatic beam switching, and a network management system to maximize their profitability and efficiency.The Skala Global Platform offers a combination of next-generation ground system technology…

15 Apr 2020

Offshore Drilling: It’s Going to Get Worse Before It Gets Better

Copyright Mike Mareen/AdobeStock

The Offshore Rig Market – At $30 Oil Offshore Drillers May Be Out of OptionsCOVID-19 and low oil prices are already having an impact on the offshore rig market as contractors face crew and logistical challenges and E&Ps attempt to prioritize drilling campaigns.Contract scrutiny has already led to a few contract cancellations and the first claims of force majeure.However, contract options are at most risk. Over $1.6 billion in contract value is at stake for options that are due to be exercised this year.

03 Apr 2020

Inmarsat Offering Crews Discounted Voice Calls

© Image'in / Adobe Stock

Inmarsat has formalized a 50% discount for crew voice calling services available for up to 40,000 ships in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on seafarer well-being.The maritime satellite service provider is also ensuring that calls made to the SeafarerHelp service provided by welfare organization ISWAN (International Seafarers’ Welfare Assistance Network) are available free of charge. In addition, Inmarsat is working with crew healthcare specialist Vikand and software platform provider FrontM…

27 Mar 2020

Connecting Crew During COVID-19

© STOCKSTUDIO / Adobe Stock

Inmarsat Maritime President Ronald Spithout says providing crews with enhanced levels of connectivity and support is critical at this unprecedented time, and offers an insight into the work already underway with welfare organizations to assist seafarers in need.Given Inmarsat’s position as the leading provider of maritime VSAT and L-Band services at sea, it is hardly surprising that we have been alert to the direct connection between coronavirus and surging demand for crew voice call and data services.

04 Mar 2020

Traxens Joins EU DataPorts Project

French supply chain data services company Traxens has joined the new European DataPorts project, aimed at creating a data platform for cognitive ports of the future.DataPorts is an EU-funded, three-year project with a budget of $7.3 million (€6.7 million). It is coordinated by the Technological Institute of Informatics (ITI) in Spain.According to a press release from the Container IoT company, today, only three per cent of container terminals are automated. However, the future of the industry points towards smart ports as the best way to overcome the challenges and demands that arise in the sector.Challenges include optimizing port operations…

19 Dec 2019

The Future of Maritime Navigation

Photo: Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine

It is 70 years since the launch of the first radar under the Decca brand and today’s Sperry Marine is marking the anniversary by looking to a future that would have been hard to imagine in 1949 – or even as little as 10 years ago.Yet the changes of the last decade will be eclipsed by the transformation in the decades to come, which will accelerate as the shipping industry embraces greater digitalization and moves towards an era of smart and connected operations.In the course of 70 years…

11 Dec 2019

Launch Partners Ready for Iridium's GMDSS

The Lars Thrane LT-3100S GMDSS terminal built for the Iridium network, planned for 2020. (Photo: Iridium)

Iridium Communications announced the first seven companies it has authorized to provide its Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) services, planned for commercial introduction in the first half of 2020. The seven companies, Arion Communications, AST, Marlink, Marsat, NSSLGlobal, Satcom Global and Speedcast will be the first in the industry to provide truly global satellite GMDSS service to mariners, and the first to offer a new choice in satellite network and equipment.

21 Nov 2019

Inmarsat, IT Partners Bring IP-based Broadband to Fisheries Market

Eric Griffin (Photo: Inmarsat)

Real-time fisheries management and governance to ensure robust quota compliance and safeguard sustainable fishing.Inmarsat, along with its partners Addvalue Innovation Pte Ltd (Addvalue) and Network Innovations, have launched a type-approved IP-based terminal and Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for fishing vessels operating in United States (U.S.) waters. The Addvalue iFleetONE communications terminal and proprietary VMS have been type-approved in four of the five U.S. Fisheries Management regions, as required by the U.S.

23 Sep 2019

Airbus Enhances OceanFinder capabilities

Aerospace solutions provider Airbus Defense and Space has upgraded its digital maritime service to detect and track vessels around the globe.First launched in 2018, OceanFinder leverages Airbus’ advanced constellation of optical and radar satellites, combined with real-time global Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, and the latest in automated analytics, to support a broad range of critical applications across defense and security, shipping, oil and gas, and insurance markets.OceanFinder’s latest updates introduce a number of innovative features – extending the service’s capabilities in several key areas.From today, users will benefit from enhanced imagery and AIS data correlation to identify the precise location of a non-responding vessel in near real-time.

04 Jun 2019

Iridium Unveils First GMDSS Terminal

Photo: Iridium

Iridium Communications and partner Lars Thrane, has unveiled the Lars Thrane (LT) 3100S terminal designed to operate on the Iridium network for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) vessel carriage requirements, with service targeted to launch in January 2020. This is the first terminal designed to provide truly global GMDSS services and is the first to be offered after the International Maritime Organization’s decision to recognize Iridium as just the second-ever satellite provider for this critical service.