Internet Connections News

A global network of crew change hubs would help alleviate the humanitarian crisis seafarers face at present, according to the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ).They could offer a short-term solution to the barriers presented by global travel restrictions, ensuring vital crew changes could take place and facilitating trade and logistics to the benefit of the world economy, the Flag State advised.Rear Admiral (ret’d) Peter Brady, MAJ Director General, explained, “In the Caribbean for example…

The commercial shipping world can benefit from greater range of communications and reduced satellite costs. Domestic brown water operators know all too well that’s easier said; than done. Until now.In the fast moving world of blue water, deep draft shipping, the availability of reliable ship-to-shore communications has been a non-issue for at least two decades. More than ever, they need it. These longtime users of so-called ship management software and now, sophisticated remote monitoring systems that watch over even the most obscure minutia on board far flung 1,000 foot ocean liners, need (and get) robust and reliable communications.On the domestic, brown water side of the equation? Not so much.

Mathias Rusch, Director of the Marine business unit at SKF explains what trends are currently shaping the industry, what future challenges are emerging and how operators can manage the flood of data that is coming out of the digitalization revolution.Two major trends that shipowners and operators are currently dealing with are persistently low freight rates, which have been significantly depressing shipowners’ earnings for a number of years and the requirements concerning emissions into both air and water that continue to grow.

The Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority, established in 1963, which operates three ports: two on the Ohio River, one on Lake Michigan. Port officials refer to the three as “America’s Premier Inland Port System.” They cite location, location, location, providing access via two critical freight arteries – the Great Lakes and the Inland Waterway System and proximity to the world’s most productive industrial and agricultural regions. The Ports is the only statewide port authority in the Midwest.

Elcome International said it has completed a satellite communications retrofit program for a major fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers providing broadband data and voice services. “Our team decommissioned the existing VSAT systems and installed new SAILOR 900 antennas and below-deck systems on 40 ships within four months. Most of the installations were performed at sea, and the others were made at ports in eight different countries,” said Jimmy Grewal, executive director of Dubai-based Elcome International.

Hand in hand with the digital craze in maritime is the caution of cyber attacks. We live and operate in a complex society. That society would be impossible without modern computers and other information technologies Those technologies have largely been developed piecemeal to address particular issues, and for the most part they have generally achieved their particular goals. Maximum efficiency is gained when multiple technologies are joined to coordinate their work. Computers get smaller and faster, with ever-growing memory. Joining computers together allowed for creation of the internet.

At nearly 663,000 square miles, Alaska is the biggest state in the United States and over twice the size of Texas. The state’s size and the remoteness of its northern communities make emergency response challenging. In response to growing economic and tourism interests in the Arctic, Coast Guard District 17, Alaska Command and the State of Alaska and other state and federal partners will conduct a mass rescue exercise called Operation Arctic Chinook in Tin City and Kotzebue August 23-24.

In the next few years, demand for bandwidth on the high seas will grow, in no small part due to technology that is making operations more efficient and keeping crews and passengers healthy, happy and connected. Just a few years ago, a cruise-going family might have brought a single laptop computer and maybe a cell phone aboard. Today, cruise companies find that the average family shows up with 10 connected devices. And within the commercial maritime sector: crew members, away at sea for months at a time, are hungry for a robust connectivity experience to stay in touch with family and friends.

GOST (Global Ocean Security Technologies) released its next generation security video solution, the GOST Watch HD Internet Video Recorder (IVR). The new video recording system features a four terabyte hard drive – designed to capture and store video on a modern yacht – that is capable of continuously recording and storing 90 days of video from up to six cameras. The GOST Watch HD IVR system supports the highest resolution video recording from any GOST or third party analog cameras connected to the GOST Watch HD Analog-to-Digital Gateway (GWHD-A/D Gateway).

GOST (Global Ocean Security Technologies), now in its 10th year as a developer of marine security, tracking, monitoring and video surveillance systems, announced today the release of its next generation security video solution, the GOST Watch HD Internet Video Recorder (IVR). The new video recording system features a four terabyte hard drive – designed to capture and store video on a modern yacht – that is capable of continuously recording and storing 90 days of video from up to six cameras.

The advent of broadband at sea continues to expand, as German cruis brand AIDA introduces a flat-fee for social media networks onboard its ships. AIDA Cruises is introducing an Internet flat fee for social media networks on board its ships. For 4 euros per day, or 19 euros per week, passengers will be able to share their experiences on board with friends in popular social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or WhatsApp. “The use of mobile devices is continuously growing.

U.K.-based ECDIS manufacturer Martek Marine Ltd. has partnered with German ECDIS training supplier Safebridge GmbH and the ECDIS Training Consortium to deliver ‘Type Specific’ ECDIS training for crew members on-board vessels without internet access. The VTK (vessel training kit) for on-board computer based training without the need for internet connection will allow crew members to carry out their Type Specific Training without the pressure, cost or unreliability of internet connections whilst at sea. Steve Coulson, Business Development Director at Martek Marine commented, “Training is one of the most important elements of successful and due diligent ECDIS implementation.

Inland and coastal giant christens ATB duo Jason E. Duttinger and Winna Wilson in an October New Orleans ceremony. The crew of the Jason E. Duttinger took a break from hauling coal between Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, and Florida on Oct. 30 as Kirby Corp. of Houston christened the articulated tug-and-barge unit in New Orleans at the dock of the Hilton Riverside Hotel. Both units were named in honor of two special individuals. Jason Duttinger was a senior transportation specialist at North Carolina-based Duke Energy when he died of cancer in 2011.

Increased Internet and remote connectivity to offshore assets has exposed industrial control systems to targeted attacks and vulnerabilities previously obscured. Remote monitoring, remote upgrades, Internet connections and the complexity/criticality of the systems in general on Drillships, FPSO’s, Semisubmersibles and other highly valuable assets potentially facilitate targeted attacks and cyber assaults on Dynamic Positioning, Drilling Control, BOP and other control systems. ABS Group is directly responding to these threats by offering standards based security assessments specifically for newbuilds, operating assets and retiring assets, performed by certified security practitioners with offshore experience.

Wärtsilä, a ship power system integrator and solution provider, has signed a contract to design and supervise the construction of a modern oceanographic research vessel for the marine wing of the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The order was received in October. In addition to design and supervising the construction process, Wärtsilä will be involved in selecting the onboard scientific instruments, and in arranging training for GSI scientists to ensure that the vessel's capabilities are fully utilized. Wärtsilä know-how and the company's global presence guarantee that the new vessel's scientific team will have the best possible support. "The new vessel is the third of its kind that Wärtsilä is designing for India," said Arne Stenersen, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Ship Design in Norway.

In an effort to expand its communications capacity and take advantage of affordable, emerging commercial satellite services, the United States Coast Guard is in the process of deploying the TracPhone V7 and mini-VSAT Broadband service from KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) on its 110-ft and 225-ft cutters. Intended to replace older satellite communications systems and services, the KVH integrated antenna and service solution is now offering increased bandwidth, reduced operating costs, and seamless coverage in key operational areas for the Coast Guard vessels. The mini-VSAT Broadband service, along with the KVH TracPhone V7 antenna, comprise the an end-to-end 24-inch VSAT antenna, service, and support package available for maritime communications.

Disaster preparedness and recovery plans have taken on new aspects and urgency since September 11. For many who didn't have disaster recovery plans, they have been inspired to create them. Now operations managers of maritime companies who are responsible for their communications and smooth functioning of office systems must also consider more possible threats. Is your company prepared to continue operating if forced to evacuate your offices due to an anthrax exposure? What if your office, vessels, or people were directly affected by violent terrorist attacks? What happens if your suppliers are unable to provide you communications links, phone lines, or power? Your plan should consider all of these catastrophes and more.

As technologically advanced as communications have become, the bottom line, particularly for business applications, remains basically the same: the need for clear, reliable and cost-effective means to communicate. Trends in the transmission of data, voice and e-mail from ship-to-shore are much like that of land-based operations. The need for more speed and increased reliability are never ending, and the companies that excel are the ones that not only continually innovate, but those that consistently stay on the front of the curve to deliver real-world technologies that deliver benefits in the unique maritime operational environment. In parallel, price pressures are ubiquitous, as shipowners are keen to exploit every outlet to cut costs and generate revenue.

Satamatics-Americas has announced that MOBEX Network Services, the American marine industry specialist, has agreed to be a Satamatics Telematics Application Service Provider. MOBEX of Jeffersonville, Ind., will supply FCC Authorized Satamatics asset-tracking services to the commercial and recreational marine industries in the United States, and throughout North, Central and South America, working in conjunction with Satamatics-Americas, based in Ocala, Fla. Key commercial uses for the services include asset tracking for barge owners and operators, an application area for which MOBEX already has an extensive track record. The potential barge market alone in the U.S for the MOBEX/ Satamatics service can be measured in the tens of thousands of units.

According to reports, Connexion by Boeing, the satellite broadband Internet service for aircraft, is expanding its service for ships, The Boeing Co. said. Boeing has signed two-year leases with international satellite operator Intelsat for space on two of its satellites, one above the Atlantic Ocean and one above the Indian Ocean. The satellite capacity will be used to provide broadband Internet connections to customers in those regions, it said. Connexion by Boeing's satellite capacity has been largely focused to date on major air routes of its customer airlines. Boeing started talking about a maritime service in 2004 and in the middle of 2005 it announced a deal with Teekay Shipping Corp. to install Connexion by Boeing on 50 of the company's ships.

Connexion by Boeing, the satellite broadband Internet service for aircrafts, is expanding its service for ships, Boeing said on July 27. Boeing has signed two-year leases with international satellite operator Intelsat for space on two of its satellites, one above the Atlantic Ocean and one above the Indian Ocean. The satellite capacity will be used to provide broadband Internet connections to customers in those regions. Connexion by Boeing's satellite capacity has been largely focused to date on major air routes of its customer airlines. Boeing started talking about a maritime service in 2004 and in the middle of 2005 it announced a deal with Teekay Shipping Corp. to install Connexion by Boeing on 50 of the company's ships.

Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently caught up with Al Carbone, creator of ShipDecision, a shipmanagement tool designed to help operators save time and money. Can you share with us some background information? Carbone As a youth I always had a fascination with math, science and technology, so it was no surprise to my friends that I ended up studying engineering. I earned my Bachelor of Engineering degree - in Electrical Engineering - in 1981 from Concordia University in Montreal.

CapRock Communications on announced the launch of SeaAccess Communications, its new broadband maritime service providing always-on corporate networking and crew morale solutions to ships at sea. With SeaAccess, shipping companies can more efficiently operate their fleets, captains onboard vessels can leverage the corporate network and crew members can take advantage of services designed to help keep them connected. SeaAccess represents the next step in CapRock's commitment to further serve the specific needs of the commercial maritime market. The launch of the service builds upon the announcement of CapRock's new Maritime Service division that opened last year.