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Petredec enhances crew connectivity on gas carrier fleet
Gas carrier group Petredec is enhancing connectivity for its seafarers by investing in satellite communications on its growing fleet
Petredec will install internet access hotspots on its 27 operating LPG carriers and on 10 newbuildings as part of an advanced crew welfare package, using Inmarsat’s Fleet Hotspot internet portal service and dedicated hardware.
These will operate alongside existing Fleet Xpress satellite communications that combine Ka-band connectivity over Inmarsat’s Global Xpress constellation with L-band FleetBroadband as a back-up.
Petredec already uses Fleet Xpress for operational communications and Inmarsat’s Fleet Data platform for data collection, transfer, storage, and analysis. Installing Fleet Hotspot will give crews on its LPG carriers high-speed connectivity with the freedom to use their own devices when off shift.
Petredec fleet technical manager Neil Giles said the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and crew-change crisis were major influences on its investment decision. “The powerful moral case for ensuring crews can stay in touch with friends, family, and the outside world has been laid bare during Covid-19, but there is also a direct link between crew happiness and retention of the best crews,” Mr Giles said.
“It is a link that results in safer operations on board multi-million-dollar assets, greater vessel efficiency and business competitiveness.”
By using Fleet Hotspot, seafarers have a dedicated channel for their communications and do not need to compete with operational bandwidth. Fleet Hotspot offers seafarers internet access via a dedicated portal, with billing options for owners including separate service agreements.
Petredec is fast-tracking the adoption of the crew portal fleetwide, replacing a previous subscription-based crew connectivity service.
On completion, all 37 owned Petredec ships will be equipped with Fleet Hotspot, supported by the dual Fleet Xpress antennas on board. Through this commitment, Petredec has become a leader in enhancing crew welfare at a time when it is difficult for seafarers to return to shore and their families.
It is also a signatory of the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change, which encourages an industry approach to improving onboard welfare and enabling safe, efficient and secure crew changes across international borders.
“Petredec is in the vanguard of shipping’s digitalisation journey and leverages technology to realise goals on safety, the environment, efficiency and crew welfare,” said Inmarsat Maritime vice president for merchant shipping Gert-Jan Panken.
“They will be expanding their commitment to crew welfare, safety and operational efficiency through our portfolio of services.”
This includes investing in internet of things (IoT) to monitor onboard systems for performance and health.
“Our experience is that early adopters of IoT-based solutions quickly see the benefit of measurable performance gains while the commitment to crew welfare boosts moral,” said Mr Panken.
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