Satellite Networks News

Saab and GMV are collaborating in ASGARD, an EU-funded project that aims to improve maritime security when using GNSS and OSNMA. The project addresses the growing threat of GNSS spoofing and other cyberattacks on navigation systems used in the maritime industry.The ASGARD project, run by Saab and GMV, is an ambitious European Union (EU) initiative that aims to develop advanced technologies to improve Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) security in maritime environments.

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.

A newly established consortium is going to develop a network for low Earth orbit satellites delivering ice chart data to ships at sea. A new research project called MARIOT (Maritime IoT) is going to develop a low Earth orbit satellite network based on the new VDES (VHF Data Exchange System) technology. The consortium behind the project is headed by the Danish satellite operator Sternula. The satcom developers GateHouse, Space Inventor, and Satlab as well as Aalborg University…

Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan explains why the global trade association is poised to take its work to the next level.While I respect the mantra of cautious optimism, I can’t help feeling genuinely excited that 2019 could prove to be a milestone year in the continuing growth of Interferry’s influence as the global voice of the ferry industry. We’ve come a long way since our US origins in 1976 as what was essentially a networking movement, but developments in recent months already suggest we are on course for yet more enhancement of our present-day worldwide networking and lobbying relationships.

NBS Maritime, the ship supply company that provides mobile satellite communications for the maritime sector, has announced  a new complete solution 'SeaDirect' for satellite communications with unlimited Internet connection onboard different types of vessels.Among the first NBS Maritime customers using SeaDirect are international shipping companies as well as superyachts, it said.SeaDirect is now available over the areas of the Mediterranean Sea, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the North-East Atlantic, the Gulf, the Caspian Sea, and the Black Sea, also it is offered with global coverage.The service is applicable for cargo ships and tankers as well as cruise ships…

Intellian has received Inmarsat Type Approval for the new GX100NX antenna, authorizing its use on the Global Xpress satellite network and for the Inmarsat Fleet Xpress service.Launched in May 2019, the GX100NX unlocks the full potential of Fleet Xpress, the world’s fastest growing Maritime VSAT service, empowering maritime customers with maximized RF performance and 10W high power BUC option to ensure high availability of Ka-band connectivity.The GX100NX is a new addition to Intellian’s expanding NX series…

Swiss satellite startup Astrocast announced the launch of 3 new pilots of its Low Earth Orbit Nanosatellite Network. The pilots with Actia, Marine Instruments, and Swiss Fresh Water highlight the power of satellite networks to deliver affordable communications to the world’s most remote areas.Designed specifically for IoT, Astrocast’s two-way system allows companies to monitor and control their remote assets, including over-the-air upgrades at lower latency and cost than existing satellite communications networks.“Our onboard telematic equipment is designed to support some of the toughest work, in the most remote areas of the world.

Resilience planning, Info Sharing Take Spotlight“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” That old chestnut gets turned on its head when it comes to port cyber security. It’s more like “Oh what a tangled web we’ve woven, so much harder to stop data stolen.”Ports today have the physical aspect of security pretty well nailed shut - gates, locks, fencing, alarms, cameras, drones, etc. As Chris Mason, Rajant Corp.’s director of sales for EMEA, notes, “Every…

The SMM 2018 scheduled to take place September 4-7, 2018, in Hamburg, Germany, is held every two years and is the traditional launching platform for a variety of commercial shipping and shipbuilding technologies. Five new marine technologies to look for in Hamburg include:Digitalization & Autonomous SolutionsCompany: Kongsberg MaritimeBooth: B6.104Product: Digital transformation and autonomyKongsberg Maritime will show innovations in its operational, digital and seaborne transportation systems including autonomy and hybrid solutions at SMM 2018.

The proven RockFLEET global tracking and messaging system, manufactured by UK-based Iridium satcom specialist Rock Seven, has been selected as one of four approved devices in a mandated scheme to install a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to all commercial fishing boats in Queensland, Australia.Under the terms of the scheme, all commercial fishing and charter boats will require a vessel tracking device to be fitted and operational by 2020. Net, crab and line boats, meanwhile, will need to have a VMS in place from January 1, 2019.

Satellite 2018 marks the launch of Cobham SATCOM’s Sea Tel 9711 Triband maritime antenna system, which leverages unique technology and capabilities from global communications company Viasat Inc. The Sea Tel 9711 Triband is the world’s first and only 2.4m maritime stabilized antenna capable of delivering full 2.4m gain performance across any C-, Ku-, or Ka-band network to maximize high-speed, high-quality broadband connectivity for high-demand maritime segments, such as Cruise, Energy and Government. The triband antenna system leverages radio frequency (RF) technology provided by Viasat to enable compatibility across any Ka-band satellite network operating in any orbit.

Satellite communication services and solutions provider the AST Group said it has recently won a contract with SEACOR Marine International to supply VSAT and failover satellite communications to 30 vessels. The agreement sees AST supplying VSAT and back-up communications for SEACOR’s North Sea and West African fleets providing bandwidth for VOIP and data services over multiple satellite networks enabling vessels to move freely from region to region with no disruption. With SEACOR’s fleet operating in the challenging OSV market, a flexible, affordable and reliable solution was required. As well as competitive pricing and 24/7 support SEACOR Marine were able to benefit from AST’s unique INTEGRA network providing real time application identification and control…

Cobham SATCOM’s SAILOR and Sea Tel antennas have been used by maritime VSAT service provider Marlink to test the upper limits of throughput on the new Intelsat 33e (IS-33e) satellite. The testing at Marlink’s Eik teleport included Cobham SATCOM’s Sea Tel 9711 IMA, Sea Tel 6012 VSAT and SAILOR 900 VSAT High Power systems, all of which demonstrated high throughput capabilities. IS-33e is the third of seven new High Throughput Satellites (HTS) that power Intelsat’s next generation EpicNG network, an exciting new platform for very high-speed maritime broadband.

McMurdo has announced a new global satellite communications system, McMurdo OmniCom, the first in a family of products that will be rolled out over the next six months to provide complete worldwide fleet management and vessel monitoring solutions for the workboat, commercial fishing and artisanal fishing industries. McMurdo OmniCom is an integrated solution for commercial fleet operations that combines worldwide satellite coverage for constant communications to and from remote vessels with PRISMA Connect…

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.

GPLink is the most capable remote diagnostic tool available for high horsepower systems. Globally, GPLink helps vessel owners and fleet managers by remotely plotting asset locations while also monitoring engines & critical systems. GPLink remotely monitors fuel consumption, idle time, engine hours, speed, engine load and more. Comprehensive reporting allows vessel managers to identify abnormal or wasteful behavior patterns. The firm has 15 employees. Using dual band technology with both GSM and Iridium satellite networks…

The U.S. Navy awarded a contract modification to General Dynamics Mission Systems to build and deliver more than 30 new AN/USC-61(C) Digital Modular Radios (DMR), along with related materials and equipment for new Navy surface vessels and submarines. The software-defined radios are a mission critical communications hub for Navy vessels and submarines. The contract modification exercises the sixth option to a contract awarded to General Dynamics in 2010. A majority of the work will be done at General Dynamics’ Scottsdale, Arizona, location. “This contract demonstrates the Navy’s continuing trust in DMR as it keeps pace with new and innovative communications technology for sailors and their commanders to securely connect with one another anywhere…

EMC earned recognition from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (U.S. PTO) with its latest patent - US 9,130,644 B2 - for a power booster that improves efficiency and performance of connectivity links with Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite networks operating in the Ka- and Ku-band frequency ranges. “We developed this MEO Booster to manage the seamless switchover between MEO satellites as they move across the sky from horizon to horizon,” said Federico Fawzi, vice president of advanced engineering, EMC. “A descending satellite can conduct a handoff to an ascending satellite when the propagation delay from the two are equal by aligning amplitudes, frequency offsets and phases.

Inmarsat the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has signed an agreement with Globecomm, appointing the specialised managed satellite services provider as a Value Added Reseller (VAR) for Global Xpress (GX), serving the Maritime market globally. The agreement completes Globecomm’s Global Xpress offering, having previously been appointed as a GX VAR for the Enterprise and Global Government markets. Global Xpress will be the first global Ka-band broadband satellite network providing very high bandwidth services to a range of land, maritime and aero terminals, delivered through a resilient, secure waveform which is optimised for mobility.

Provider of floating production services to the oil and gas industry, BW Offshore, says it has signed a 5-year, $12 million contract with Orange Business Services for an end-to-end satellite communication solution for its fleet of oil and gas production vessels. Orange Business Services is providing Maritime VSAT – a fully managed end-to-end satellite-based communication solution – which fully integrates BW Offshore’s 14 vessels and two land-based locations into the Orange MPLS network. This solution offers BW Offshore personnel access to the exact same business applications, communication and entertainment services at sea as on land, no matter where the vessel is located.

DigiGone, a communication solution provider specializing in secure video transmission, introduced its new remote telemedicine kits for marine, aviation and land-based applications. Based on DigiGone’s proprietary SecureChat video encryption and compression software, the new DigiMed kits provide real-time teleconferencing with emergency medical service professionals using satellite or terrestrial wireless links, enabling a face-to-face consult between patient and doctor. The DigiMed telemedicine kits are suited for ships…

More so than many other fields of business, the maritime industry is focused on cost, which in turn gives the appearance of being conservative towards technology. Of course, we have magnificently technical ships operating with equipment that wouldn’t look out of place in a NASA lab, but in general, it can take decades for a technology to become mainstream. Unless it becomes mandated by the IMO. Vessel tracking is a partial exception to the rule though, with many fleet owners realizng its potential for more cost-effective operation and improved vessel and personnel security.

The myriad benefits of gplink are well documented. Remote Monitoring and Tracking company gplink bills itself as the most capable remote diagnostic tool available for high horsepower systems. In a nutshell, gplink monitors commercial vessels and equipment, allowing users to detect anomalies before they turn into problems. Remotely monitoring, tracking and troubleshooting expensive and far flung assets is now a mature concept, reaching all marine markets. Without a doubt, gplink is in the thick of it. Easily configured to monitor the data points that matter most to you, there are literally dozens of applications that can be safely covered.