Wireless Internet News

Lifting Gear Hire (LGH) said it has completed its new training center in the North American Corporate Rental Center in Bridgeview, Ill., allowing the company to further develop employees’ skills and knowledge of the service, function and proper care and maintenance of LGH rental stock equipment.The new center will be utilized to train LGH employees and customers in a quiet, temperature controlled and classroom-style environment. It can seat up to 12 people, including the instructor…

When cargo and crew need to get to an offshore platform fast, Seacor Marine delivers with its new Seacor Panther and Seacor Puma. Part of its CrewZer Class of state-of-the-art transport vessels, the 187' x 41' high-speed aluminum catamarans reach 40 kts—a dramatic speed improvement over traditional FSVs (fast support vessel). This blazing-fast speed is due to an innovative hull design, and high-performance Twin Disc QuickShift marine transmissions coupled with HamiltonJet waterjets.Built by Astilleros Armon shipyards in Burela…

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.

Konecranes South Louisiana operations group completed a simultaneous replacement of 24 hoists in a tightly scheduled two-week service outage at the CHS Myrtle Grove Terminal outside New Orleans. Its South Louisiana operations group recently replaced 24 8-ton hoists mounted on two overhead cranes used to lift and replace top covers on barges delivering grain. These two cranes unload over six million metric tonnes of grain each year, which is then loaded onto export vessels for shipment all over the world.

We wish we had a dollar for every time we heard or read the words Big Data at the Nor-Shipping exhibition last month. We might even have collected enough cash to buy a round of expensive Norwegian beers for the gang at the Fridtjof bar. Seriously, Big Data is one of the most talked-about subjects at maritime industry gatherings. At Nor-Shipping there were no fewer than half a dozen panels and conference sessions focusing on the role of Big Data and analytics in commercial shipping.

China has launched its first cruise liner to sail via its ambitious transcontinental initiative Maritime Silk Road (MSR) on its maiden voyage during which it will visit three South-East Asian nations. The liner has scheduled stops in Vietnam, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia before eventually reaches Kuantan Port in Malaysia. The cruise liner set off from the Beihai port in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The 135-m-long 20-m-wide modern cruise ship can accommodate about 400 people and is equipped with wireless Internet access. Zhang Xiaoqin, vice governor of Guangxi, said the new cruise liner was another milestone in China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cooperation and would promote maritime connectivity in the region.

WiFi@Sea high-speed network will combine land-based systems and advanced satellite connectivity designed to give passengers faster, more stable and powerful internet service at sea. With connectivity speeds that can be roughly 10 times faster than ever before, passengers will be able to share their cruise experience via Internet, email and social media in real time. Carnival Corporation & plc has unveiled a hybrid wireless network – a high-speed service to eventually be rolled out to all 101 of its ships on all nine of its brands.

Canadian shipping company Algoma Central Corporation has renewed and upgraded its VSAT Connectivity contract with technology solutions provider Imtech Marine. The agreement now provides VSAT satellite coverage and airtime Connectivity to 34 vessels which are owned or managed by Algoma. Algoma Central Corporation owns and operates the largest Canadian flag fleet of dry and liquid bulk carriers operating on the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Waterway, including 18 self-unloading dry-bulk carriers, seven gearless dry bulk carriers and seven product tankers.

With Friday’s Bermuda sailing of the Norwegian Dawn, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) launches the 2013 cruise season at Cruiseport Boston’s Black Falcon Terminal in South Boston. New this year, Massport is offering travelers free wireless Internet access at the cruise terminal to meet traveler’s expectations to be mobile enabled. More than 80% of vacation travelers bring at least one device, such as a smartphone, e-reader or laptop with them on vacation and 65 percent of travelers have used free wifi in an accommodations lobby or common area, according to a national electronics retailer. Cruiseport Boston’s free wifi service is supported by advertising and sponsorship programs.

Please join us April 23-25, 2013 in Charleston, SC for the next NSRP All Panel Meeting. The All Panel Meeting brings together NSRP’s eleven Ship Production Panels to share strategies, discuss new technologies and report results in reducing the cost of building and repairing Navy ships. The meeting will take place at the Charleston Marriott. Room block details are listed below. Please note that space is limited; early meeting registration and hotel reservation are strongly recommended. *This rate includes free parking and wireless internet for guests! For those planning an extended stay in Charleston (up to 3 days pre/post meeting), please contact Elizabeth McDowell if you have any difficulty making a reservation at the room block rate. A detailed agenda is currently being developed.

New Marina South Wharves lighter terminal opened in the Port of Singapore. Developed by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) at a cost of $16 million, MSW will complement the existing lighter terminal at Penjuru. MSW will be particularly useful for lighter operators serving ships in the Eastern anchorages, given the shorter travelling distances and thus lower operating costs. MSW is purpose-built with crane lifting, cargo handling, mooring and berth facilities to meet the needs of ship suppliers and lighter operators. The development comprises a 100-metres wharf structure and a single storey administration building. Jurong Port Pte Ltd has implemented a new Lighter Wharf Management System (LWMS) at MSW to streamline transactions.

Thuraya Telecommunications Company has announced the appointment of Mr. T. Sanford Jewett as their new Vice President, Marketing. Mr. Jewett brings his expertise in international markets to Thuraya and will play a major role in leading the expansion of Thuraya’s global marketing strategies. Sanford has over 25 years of experience in the wireless, internet and satellite industries. His experience includes an extensive focus on introducing technology companies into new markets. Before joining Thuraya, Mr.

Beneath choppy Puget Sound waters linger remnants of war that could potentially harm both life and this robust sea-faring industry. During a routine security dive, Port of Seattle divers discovered munitions that date back to World War II. Munitions were found on six more occasions, the last of which was considered hazardous. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorized a time critical removal action to deal with munitions found where cruise ships berthed on Pier 91. Sky Research was contracted to begin a series of surveys using multi-beam…

has received an order from Viking Line to equip their latest new built Viking ADCC with AMOS M&P and AMOS Q&S. The vessel is planned to be in operation during the autumn of 2009. Viking ADCC is a fast ferry and is currently being built at Astilleros de Seville in . The vessel is being custom built for the route Kapellskar – Mariehamn and has a capacity of 1,500 passengers and 320 cars. In accordance with the Viking standard, ADCC is constructed to produce minimal negative effects on the environment; All main and auxiliary engines are equipped with catalytic cleansing and low sulphur fuel will be used. No toxic anti fouling paints are used. Viking ADCC is constructed to accommodate the disabled and people in wheel chairs. The interior has been designed by Tillberg Design.

NCL Corporation will be the first cruise line to bring passengers on North American cruises the ability to use their cell phones even when communications towers are oceans away. The company is providing the innovative new offering through Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture of AT&T Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN). Leading the way in shipboard technology, NCL pioneered the industry's first Internet access on the high seas with its Internet cafe in 1999. In 2002, NCL became the first cruise line to provide remote wireless Internet (also known as Wi-Fi) to its guests. Both services are now standard throughout NCL's entire fleet. "Cutting-edge onboard technology is important to our guests," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO.

By Hector V. In recent years, the emphasis in Maintenance Management has grown for various reasons, all very much related to the financial benefits that the owner of vessels and/or offshore installations will capture by paying much closer attention to Preventive maintenance than was normally contemplated in previous decades. The offshore oil field industry and ship owners/operators need to pay close attention to the development of international conventions containing regulations and classification society requirements regarding maintenance. Classification societies requirements to periodical surveys make possible to establish a survey arrangement for retention of class based on Planned Maintenance System (PMS) on board.

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.

American Commercial Lines Inc. will christen the M/V Warren E. Bourgeois on August 2 at the new Houston Fleet Facility in Channelview, Texas. The vessel’s namesake, Mr. Warren E. Bourgeois, is currently the company’s manager of Gulf Coast Barge Operations. Bourgeois began his career with the company in 1969. The M/V Warren E. Bourgeois recently completed a $1.4m refurbishment and is the fourth vessel to be christened by ACL this year under its capital program to enhance and upgrade its fleet. The vessel’s features include new internal construction, soundproofing, satellite radio in all staterooms, flat screen televisions, wireless internet access and enhanced employee accommodations.

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN) announced an agreement with Silversea Cruises to provide a complete package of onboard communications capabilities. MTN’s DirectNet technology will allow passengers and crew members to use any type of communications desired, including: receiving and transmitting seamless voice, data and email services via satellite worldwide. The World Wide Web is readily available at MTN's onboard Internet Café with online computer stations, and MTN’s technology also facilitates WiFi “hot spots” for wireless Internet access. With MTN’s new Maritime Satellite Television Networksm (MSTV), using MTN’s global satellite network and onboard communications enhancements…

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), of Miramar, Fla., has signed an agreement with Holland America Line to provide complete wireless technology to its existing fleet of eleven vessels and as well as Holland America’s newest vessel, the Oosterdam, which enters service in August. Under the agreement, MTN will provide wireless Internet capabilities in the public rooms surrounding the Internet Cafés of Holland America’s fleet, in addition to the state-of-the-art communications and Internet services for Holland America guests and crew that MTN already provides. The process of equipping Holland America’s fleet with the new WiFi technology would be completed in May.

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), of Miramar, Fla., has signed a cooperative agreement with Xantic. Under the agreement, financial terms of which were not disclosed, Xantic will market and distribute MTN’s VSAT services to the global maritime markets. It will also provide teleport services to MTN at Burum (Netherlands) to add to MTN's existing teleport infrastructure and to add C- and Ku-Band services in the North Sea, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean regions. “This agreement offers MTN the ability to expand our global product and services using Xantic’s excellent facilities at Burum while expanding our sales and distribution capabilities through Xantic’s network of 35 offices worldwide,” said Bradford Briggs, Senior Vice President of MTN.

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN) has signed an agreement with Carnival Cruise Lines to provide complete wireless technology to its entire fleet of eighteen vessels. As a result of the agreement MTN will provide wireless Internet capabilities to Carnival’s entire fleet, in addition to the communications service and Internet connections for Carnival guests and crew that MTN already provides. MTN said that the process of equipping Carnival’s fleet with the new WiFi technology would be completed shortly. With MTN’s wireless remote technology capabilities at sea, guests and crew can connect with the World Wide Web and pursue a complete range of Internet activities, enjoying the convenience of the Internet just as if they were in a land-based hotel.

PCTEL, Inc. confirmed that it is providing its wireless access hardware and software products to the cruise line industry through its commercial agreement with Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN). MTN Separately announced its successful deployment of the PCTEL Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) products. MTN, a provider of maritime communications deployed PCTEL's WLAN Network Gateway, Roaming Client and Installation Wizard software products on the Norwegian Sun, a vessel in the Norwegian Cruise Line. MTN has plans to deploy PCTEL's wireless access solutions on other cruise ships in the near future. Passengers may now bring their personal laptops onboard the Norwegian Sun and use a wireless connection to the Internet.