Satcom News

As the maritime industry globally seeks to attract and retain crews, onboard amenities including seamless connectivity for gains in importance.Sign up now to listen in on the webinar "Crewed Up or Crew Cut? Rethinking retention and recruitment at sea," with insights from three leading U.S. Shipowners -- Crowley Maritime, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) and Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) -- discuss their experience with what works, what does not, plus the importance of 'land-like' connectivity -- in the quest to attract and retain the mariners they want and need to power their fleets.

Global maritime shipping faces a surge in GPS and GNSS disruptions — with some regions reporting a 350% increase in affected vessels over the past six months — raising concerns over safety, trade reliability, and security.In response, Tschudi Shipping Company has partnered with U.S.-based Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) specialist NAL Research and Norwegian maritime technology provider SGM Technology AS to deliver a new resilient navigation and tracking solution…

Marlink concluded an agreement to provide Solstad with next generation connectivity until the end of 2028.Solstad adopted Marlink’s SealinkNextGen network solution, combining Starlink LEO as primary connectivity channel, together with guaranteed GEO-VSAT connectivity and MSS back-up solutions.The agreement includes• High throughput, low latency LEO communications enable the use of advanced applications including video and cloud computing;• Crew can also enjoy enhanced access to social media and streaming applications to stay in touch with friends and family…

Yarden Gross, CEO and Co-founder of maritime technology company Orca AI, reflects on the recent tanker collision in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that as GPS interference becomes more common, ships urgently need AI-based situational awareness to support crews and maintain safe navigation when traditional tools are compromised.The recent collision between the tankers Front Eagle and the Adalynn in the Strait of Hormuz is more than a tragic incident – it’s a stark warning to the maritime industry.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Monday it had received multiple reports of increasing electronic interference in the waters of the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.It added that the interference is significantly impacting vessels' positional reporting through automated systems.The warning coincides with heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with Israel continuing to strike targets inside Iran and Tehran launching missile attacks on Israeli territory.UKMTO advised vessels to transit with caution and to report incidents of electronic interference.(Reuters)

Marlink is supporting Simon Møkster Shipping with flexible allocation of Starlink LEO bandwidth across its fleet, enabling the ship owner to deploy LEO internet bandwidth where it is most needed, supporting simplified connectivity for business applications and crew welfare services.Simon Møkster Shipping completed a fleet-wide upgrade of its hybrid network solution to Sealink NextGen in May 2024, accelerating the company’s digitalization program.Simon Møkster Shipping operates 15 vessels.

The Pilots' Association of the Bay and River Delaware has welcomed Pennsylvania, the latest pilot boat built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding. The Chesapeake Class launch is equipped with a full suite of Furuno marine electronics, installed by Cay Electronics of Rhode Island.At the heart of the navigation system are dual NavNet TZtouch3 TZT9F Multi Function Displays (MFDs). Delivering chart plotting and Radar overlay, these 9” MFDs integrate navigation and communication systems.

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, verified its fully managed bonded connectivity service, NexusWave, achieved maximum download speeds of 330–340 megabits per second, with maximum upload speeds of 70–80 Mbps, in real world tests. The trials demonstrated average download and upload speeds of 120–150 Mbps and 20–45 Mbps respectively, with network availability on board NexusWave vessels over 99.99%.Unlike the load balancing which hybrid connectivity solutions typically use to deliver bandwidth via the best available underlay network…

Iridium Communications Inc. announced the service launch of Iridium Certus GMDSS, a generational advancement in maritime satellite communication safety services.Iridium Certus GMDSS, the only truly global GMDSS service available, features distress alert, safety voice, and Maritime Safety Information (MSI); includes additional regulated services like Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), and provides the fastest weather-resilient broadband service available for conducting ships' business when other systems are blocked or unavailable.

Marlink is supporting digital transformation for Thoresen Shipping with the migration of its fleet to the Sealink NextGen solution.Thoresen Shipping FactsThoresen Shipping is a global dry bulk shipping operator headquartered in Thailand with a presence in Dubai, London and Singapore. Dating to 1904, Thoresen Shipping owns a modern fleet of 24 Supramax and Ultramax bulk carriers.Marlink will deploy a complete hybrid network comprising guaranteed throughput by blending VSAT with Starlink LEO and additional backup services.

Designed for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), Cobham Satcom’s two new satellite Safety Terminals are prepared for new generation safety services from maritime satellite service providers, Inmarsat Maritime (SAILOR Fleet C) and Iridium (SAILOR 7200 GMDSS).The new products for the new satellite-based safety services with voice, messaging and data functions from Inmarsat and Iridium can integrate the Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system, and the Ship Security Alert Systems (SSAS) into a single product…

Telemar, a provider of smart maintenance and remote access technologies, signed an agreement with GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) to provide safety maintenance services on its growing fleet.GNV has awarded Telemar a contract for management and maintenance of GMDSS and navigation safety installations on its newbuildings GNV Polaris, GNV Orion and GNV Virgo, constructed at CSSC shipyard Guangzhou. These new ships, which will boost ferry services in the Mediterranean and beyond, mark a…

Marlink extended its Sealink NextGen solution for Solstad Offshore to include a flexible fleet agreement for Starlink LEO services, aimed at increasing the flexibility to allocate data according to actual needs at any given time across the fleet.Marlink introduced its Starlink LEO fleet agreements to meet the growing demand for high throughput services within its smart hybrid network solutions. The agreement enables Solstad to share significant Starlink data allowance across their fleet…

Cobham Satcom unveiled its most advanced maritime satellite TV antenna, an antenna that is designed primarily for use on cruise ships and mega yachts, the 3.7 meter Sea Tel 370s TV is a solution designed to expand onboard access to the highest quality programming anywhere in the world, while significantly reducing lifetime technical costs.The Sea Tel 370s TV leverages the newest generation Sea Tel Integrated Marine Electronics (IMA) platform. The TVRO antenna features automatic C-band switching between circular and linear polarization…

Marlink closed the 100% acquisition of Diverto, a pioneer in the provision of advanced IT and OT security solutions for enterprise and critical infrastructure.Based in Zagreb, Croatia, Diverto is an expert in the delivery of cybersecurity services and solutions. Its portfolio covers professional services including penetration testing, red and purple teaming, security audit, risk management, compliance and other cybersecurity services. Agnostic to the technologies deployed by its customers…

KVH Industries, Inc. announced an expanded relationship with Starlink through a newly signed bulk data distribution agreement. The agreement offers KVH increased flexibility in the development and sales of custom, cost-effective airtime plans using Starlink’s mobile priority service. Under the agreement, KVH prepaid for access to a large block of Starlink data at favorable rates over a period of more than a year. In addition, KVH has added the Starlink Standard flat-panel terminals…

American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC), a provider of U.S.-flag roll-on roll-off shipping, has added Starlink satellite internet technology to its entire American-flagged fleet to help mariners stay connected with loved ones while at sea.“Our mariners are the most important asset we have,” said Eric Ebeling, ARC President & CEO. “They put in long weeks at sea and make tremendous personal sacrifices in order to help our military partners move critical vehicles and materials to strategically important regions of the world.

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has launched a new report Digital Wave: Transforming vessels into floating offices and remote homes.The report explores the growing importance of always-on onboard connectivity as ships and their crew become increasingly reliant on digital technology. Compiled by maritime technology research firm Thetius, the report draws on interviews and survey data to provide insight into how crews and shore-based teams are using digital technologies today.

Cruise giant Carnival Corporation on Tuesday announced it has installed Starlink across the entirety of its global fleet, unlocking high-speed, low-latency global internet connectivity for all of its vessels.The world's largest cruise company said the completed installation further enhances the onboard experience for its guests and crew to provide even faster service, greater capacity, and more reliable Wi-Fi on its fleet of 90-plus ships across its portfolio of cruise brands.

Marlink is expanding its global service support network in strategic maritime locations in Houston, Bratislava, Athens, Dubai, Singapore and Tokyo, covering strategic business locations and supporting customers in close proximity. Instead of a centralized model, Marlink provides a local approach for customer support.Marlink is also strengthening its 2nd Level Maritime Network Operations (MNOC) by expanding its operations coverage in Bratislava to 24x7, bringing it into line with the 24x7 service provided by the MNOC at Eik teleport…

Cobham Satcom and China TranTech Technologies have signed a contract which includes the largest delivery of SAILOR XTR Ku VSAT antennas to the Chinese market so far, supported by an extensive training and global service program.China TranTech is a subsidiary of China Transport Telecommunication Information Group Company Limited (CTTIC) and the only maritime satellite safety communication provider in China.SAILOR 1000 XTR Ku antennas deliver dependable, high-speed connectivity that vessel crews need to optimize remote marine operations at sea.

Marlink reports it is providing new capabilities to long-term customer TUI Cruises on its Mein Schiff fleet, augmenting its managed hybrid network solution with Starlink LEO connectivity.Marlink will install its Sealink NextGen network solution – combining low-latency LEO connectivity with global 4G/5G and C/Ku-band VSAT - on the combined fleet of six existing Mein Schiff vessels and two newbuildings. These different connectivity links will be orchestrated by Marlink’s SD-WAN solution…

Iridium Communications has entered into an agreement to acquire Satelles, Inc., a leader in secure satellite-based time and location services that complement and protect GPS and other GNSS-reliant systems. The service, named Satellite Time and Location (STL), is designed as an easy-to-adopt, secure solution that increases the efficiency and reliability of timing systems for digital infrastructure like 5G base stations, data centers, and other critical infrastructure and protects…