Scandlines upgrades ferries with wireless connectivity

It contracted Nowhere Networks to provide internet connectivity for its fleet operating in the Baltic Sea. All of its ferries are now connected with this network technology, which provides passengers with better and more stable internet connections for communications using their own devices over onboard wifi.

Scandlines was looking to replace its passenger communications technology and selected a radiocommunications solution with built-in antenna tracking technology. This automatically communicates wireless signals from ship to land and keeps vessels connected at all times.

“We have implemented Nowhere Networks’ solution on our fleet of eight ships and it has lived up to our high demands,” said Scandlines senior vice president for IT Morten Hald Nielsen.

Scandlines runs two ferry routes between Denmark and Germany, with high capacity and frequency with low-emissions ships. It has more than 41,500 departures annually on eight ferries on the routes Puttgarden-Rødby and Rostock-Gedser.

In 2019, Scandlines transported 7.2M passengers, 1.7M cars, around 700,000 freight units and 34,000 coaches.

Nowhere Networks deputy chief executive C G Sänne said the installations on Scandlines ferries demonstrate the technology. “Our full-service concept, which includes a complete solution for long-range internet connectivity, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is setting a new standard within the maritime industry in Europe,” he said.

Other ferry owners in the region have upgraded connectivity on their ships for passenger communications.

Earlier in 2020, TT-Line started Nowhere Network connectivity on its fleet of six ships on the routes Trelleborg-Travemunde-Rostock and Trelleborg-Swinoujscie, with up to 18 departures a day, offering wireless internet on board to passengers.