A German container ship owner is upgrading vessel communications and monitoring IT systems to advance its digitalisation plans
Held Bereederungs (Shipping) has contracted Marlink Group to deploy VSAT satellite communications and manage IT on a fleet of 27 vessels to improve vessel efficiency through enhanced IT monitoring and optimised fleet maintenance.
Marlink is contracted to provide its Sealink VSAT hardware, software and Ku-band connectivity. It is also providing IT system monitoring, cyber security and bridge system maintenance on Held Shipping vessels. Its planned maintenance services will be provided Telemar Germany.
Held’s strategy is to increase vessel efficiency, save fuel and reduce emissions, using a suite of digital tools.
“The Held team is dedicated to ensuring our vessels operate in excellent technical condition and at maximum operational readiness, with regular inspections, dockings and the maintenance of established quality management systems,” said Held Shipping controller Laurenz Held. “Our ability to co-ordinate these activities ever more closely with enhanced communications, maintenance and digital services reinforces the values we project towards our customers,” he said.
VSAT connectivity will be installed on a fleet of feeder vessels, mini-bulkers, multipurpose vessels and container ships. Sealink will ensure high throughput services for corporate and crew access and enable more networked assets on board these ships.
Marlink subsidiary Telemar has tailored the maintenance of bridge electronics to each trade pattern. Six of Held’s Europe-based vessels benefit from dedicated maintenance and replacement routines for all core bridge electronics equipment on board. They also have access to Telemar’s TWS management platform for due dates and 24/7 remote service support in German and English.
Vessels operating internationally will have all the services they need in major ports around the world and the same access to remote support.
Marlink president for maritime Tore Morten Olsen said Held’s investment was part of a long-term trend in maritime. “Customers are adopting an increasingly holistic approach to digitalisation, putting multiple value-adds together that position the vessel and the fleet as one connected digitalised system,” he said.
“The combination of connectivity, managed services and maintenance creates tangible added value and predictability for customers, with the flexibility to add further remote services in future.”
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