Two satellite communications companies have launched new products to enhance connectivity for seafarers and vessel owners
Iridium Communications has introduced a lightweight option for its global L-band services for use on smaller commercial vessels including workboats, tugs, fishing vessels, dredgers and passenger and patrol boats.
Iridium Certus 200 provides connectivity of 176 kbps and three voice lines via an antenna weighing just 0.7 kg.
The first maritime equipment available for the Certus 200 service class is the Thales VesseLINK 200. This is expected to be followed by a Lars Thrane LT-4200 terminal in Q1 2022. New terminals could follow from other manufacturers of larger Certus antennas, such as Cobham Satcom and Intellian.
Iridium Certus 200 will support vessel monitoring systems, internet of things and sensor data collection and transmission. For seafarers, it will support connectivity applications like web browsing, email, voice calling and chat functions.
Iridium said this L-band service is positioned as a primary communications link for small vessels but can also be used as a VSAT companion on larger ships and is also designed to provide safety communications over the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in the future.
Iridium introduced its GMDSS services over its low Earth orbit satellite constellation in 2020 after years of development, testing and approvals.
“Iridium Certus is a powerful connectivity platform, providing the flexibility for our partners to develop specialised terminals that enhance different capabilities across all industries,” said Iridium executive vice president for sales and marketing Bryan Hartin.
“Iridium Certus 200 fills an important gap in our broadband portfolio, offering a more affordable product and service class, with reliable connectivity that will expand to more markets.”
NSSLGlobal introduced its new onboard communications and IT management system in June. Smart@Sea was developed inhouse as a digital platform for operational control over connectivity networks.
It provides vessel owners with control of bandwidth usage, cyber security and satellite or terrestrial communications systems deployed on a ship. A key aspect of this new service is its security functionality.
“Our new Smart@Sea suite of services brings together the seamless integration of communication, cyber security, IT services and crew welfare to help support vessel operators in their IMO cyber compliancy,” said NSSLGlobal group chief executive Sally-Anne Ray.
It was created in response to the IMO MSC.428 resolution on maritime cyber risk management in safety management systems, which places responsibility on vessel operators.
Smart@Sea has integrated unified threat management with Layer 7 firewall, anti-virus, intrusion detection and prevention systems, cyber security information and event management and an embedded virtual private network.
NSSLGlobal said the system enables remote deployment and delivers new applications. It can be remotely activated to help vessel operators provide essential welfare and recreational features for crew to combat the effects of isolation and anxiety, such as information and entertainment CrewVision services and CrewUnite wifi hotspot internet and voice services.
Smart@Sea’s virtualised platform provides computer hosting services, allowing configurations, updates and patches to be remotely managed without the need for training on the specific platforms.
“Use of ever-connected technologies has brought innumerable benefits to the maritime industry in terms of cost savings, efficiency and flexibility,” said Ms Ray.
“Smart@Sea offers a complete solution for all [owners’] operational needs in one simple user interface that can be managed and proactively monitored both on board, remotely by the headquarters, and of course backed up by our highly skilled 24/7 NOC operators.”
Riviera Maritime Media will provide free technical and operational webinars in 2021. Sign up to attend on our events page
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.