Crowley invests in enhanced connectivity for fleet communications

Inmarsat will provide high-speed broadband services for most of its fleet, installing VSAT hardware including antennas on container ships, tankers and ship assist and offshore services tugboats and barges.

Crowley Maritime owns, operates and manages a diverse fleet of almost 100 vessels, which will be connected to Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress satellite communications enabling connectivity over Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-band satellite constellation with continuous back up from FleetBroadband on L-band.

Crowley Global Ship Management director for operations integrity Captain Rodney Jones said Fleet Xpress will meet the fleet’s growing connectivity requirements. “Communication needs for an operator with a variety of vessel types like Crowley are rapidly increasing,” he said.

“We require a level of performance and reliability that is proven and trusted, with a dedicated support network that is continuously available,” Capt Jones added.

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Crowley signed up the majority of its fleet after successful trials with Fleet Xpress in Alaska, on Aframax tanker California and recently reflagged liner Rio Grande Express.

These trials demonstrated the combination of Ka-band with continuous L-band back-up significantly enhancing stability of communications and available uptime.

Crowley will upgrade vessels within its deal with Inmarsat with Fleet Xpress GX60 or GX100 terminals from Intellian and an Infinity smartbox solution.

This will enable crew on vessels to access several value-added services, including bandwidth control and remote user management.

Inmarsat Maritime vice president for merchant ships Gert-Jan Panken expects Crowley vessels will use Fleet Xpress connectivity to improve operating efficiencies, adopt digitalisation and enhance crew welfare services with global high-speed and reliable coverage.

Connectivity and digitalisation will be discussed during Riviera Maritime Media’s webinar series, including during Vessel Optimisation Webinar Week, 12-15 May