Crowley Maritime Corp. has agreed a contract to install Fleet Xpress from Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, on a majority of its vessels.
The 128-year old Florida-headquartered, global energy, maritime and logistics services company owns, operates and manages a diverse fleet of close to 200 vessels including conventional and dual fuel (LNG) container ships, tankers and articulated tug-barges, and ship assist and offshore services tugboats, and various other types of barges.
The deal was signed following successful trials on subsidiary Crowley Alaska Tankers, LLC, on Aframax tanker, California, and the recently reflagged U.S. container ship Rio Grande Express which is managed and operated by Crowley Global Ship Management. The trials helped showcase the combination of the high-speed of Fleet Xpress on Ka-band with continuous back up from FleetBroadband operating on L-band, significantly enhancing both the stability of communications and available uptime.
According to Captain Rodney Jones, Director of Operations with Crowley Global Ship Management “The demands for effective communication for an operator with a variety of vessel types is rapidly increasing. To provide safe and reliable operations for customers, as well as allowing our mariners to maintain a link with home, Crowley requires a level of performance that is proven and trusted with a dedicated support network that is responsive and continuously available. Fleet Xpress proved successful in the trials that were carried out on the California in Alaska and the Rio Grande Express operating in international services during the harsh North Atlantic winter weather season.”
All vessels covered in the agreement will install either a Fleet Xpress GX60 or GX100 terminal from Intellian and an Infinity smartbox solution that will allow the vessels to access a number of value-added services, including bandwidth control and remote user management.
With over 8,500 installations across the globe, Fleet Xpress has emerged as the market-leading pathway to digital transformation for shipping companies in order to deliver improved vessel and fleet efficiency, boost profitability and enhance seafarer wellbeing.
“This new contract with Crowley, one of the leading operators of a diverse fleet, confirms that vessels anywhere in the world and of all sizes and types can secure the operating efficiency, digitalisation and crew welfare gains available from Fleet Xpress with our global high-speed performance, reliable coverage and 24/7 support,” says Gert-Jan Panken, VP of Merchant, Inmarsat Maritime.
Inmarsat is the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications. It owns and operates the world’s most diverse global portfolio of mobile telecommunications satellite networks, and holds a multi-layered, global spectrum portfolio, covering L-band, Ka-band and S-band, enabling unparalleled breadth and diversity in the solutions it provides. Inmarsat’s long-established global distribution network includes not only the world’s leading channel partners but also its own strong direct retail capabilities, enabling end to end customer service assurance.
The company has an unrivalled track record of operating the world’s most reliable global mobile satellite telecommunications networks, sustaining business and mission critical safety & operational applications for more than 40 years. It is also a major driving force behind technological innovation in mobile satellite communications, sustaining its leadership through a substantial investment and a powerful network of technology and manufacturing partners.
Inmarsat operates across a diversified portfolio of sectors with the financial resources to fund its business strategy and holds leading positions in the Maritime, Government, Aviation and Enterprise satcoms markets, operating consistently as a trusted, responsive and high-quality partner to its customers across the globe.
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