Inmarsat partner Marlink has migrated Aker BioMarine’s Antarctic krill harvester fleet support ship, La Manche to Inmarsat Fleet Xpress.
The high-speed broadband service provides a significant boost to crew communication facilities on board and enables vessels to benefit from improved business intelligence and remote access to the vessel’s IT network.
Fleet Xpress uses the XChange Universal Remote Access (URA) centralised IT and communications management solution, one of Marlink’s many Value Added Services available on the Inmarsat service.
“Fleet Xpress has transformed our communication capabilities aboard La Manche. Reports from crew and captain are today positive, with speed and availability highlighted as the biggest improvements,” said David Cheyette, IT Consultant for Aker BioMarine.
“Having access to Marlink’s portfolio of Value Added Services over Fleet Xpress was also attractive for us and has already paid dividends, especially in the context of La Manche’s IT network management.”
La Manche, a 172-metre reefer with accommodation for up to 68 crew, services Aker BioMarine’s two krill harvesting vessels, Saga Sea and Antarctic Sea, which operate year-round in the Antarctic.
Fleet Xpress was the natural upgrade option on La Manche for reliable connectivity in the Southern Ocean, the vessel’s operational area.
“Fleet Xpress is an essential part of our multi-band portfolio, providing more choice for our customers to use the services that fit their operational requirements best,” said Tore Morten Olsen, President Maritime, Marlink.
“Integrating our Value Added Services and the XChange system with Fleet Xpress allows us to offer even more flexibility and choices for ship owners.”
“Fleet Xpress is more than just a satcoms service,” comments Ronald Spithout, President, Inmarsat Maritime.
“It not only enables operators and owners to gain valuable intelligence about the performance of their vessel, it also meets the connectivity needs of the modern seafarer, offering better communications with the outside world to enhance well-being, performance and crew retention rates. We’re excited that through our strategic partner Marlink, Aker BioMarine has chosen Fleet Xpress.”
