News

Major FleetBroadband retrofit for global ship operator

17-09-2008 - A leading global shipping company, A.P. Moller - Maersk, has signed a contract to retrofit more than 150 vessels with FleetBroadband.

The two-year retrofit programme is believed to be the largest in the history of maritime satellite communications.

The order was made with Inmarsat service provider Marlink, who will supply Thrane & Thrane Sailor 500 terminals across A.P. Moller's Maersk Supply Service and its Maersk Tankers fleets, with airtime provided by distribution partner Vizada.

The first vessel fitted with FleetBroadband was Maersk Challenger, part of the supply service.

Easy install
While more than 150 vessels will undergo retrofit in phase one, the contract with Marlink also includes the possibility for a second phase to convert up to 150 more vessels.

Peter Faurhøj, IT/navigation and communication systems manager for Maersk Supply Service, said: "We are dedicated to crew welfare and installation of the relatively small FleetBroadband terminal ensures that we can offer internet to our crews by this Autumn.

"The installation of the FleetBroadband terminals has been outsourced to the crews on all our vessels and they have received an installation pack with a computer, a LAN switch, radome mast and fittings.

"Feedback from the vessels has been that it was easy to do the job, and they are very happy."

Leading solution
Head of maritime business at Inmarsat, Piers Cunningham, says a retrofit of this scale is the strongest possible endorsement of FleetBroadband.

"This is a ground-breaking deal. It represents a multi-million dollar commitment to Marlink, Inmarsat and Thrane & Thrane for airtime, equipment and on-going support," he said.

"It confirms that FleetBroadband is the leading satcoms solution in the maritime industry today. FleetBroadband delivers what it promises, and is supported by a fully-funded global next-generation satellite network that will provide service into the 2020s."

 Marlink 

Thrane & Thrane 

A.P. Moller - Maersk 

Vizada 

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