Torm Shipping chooses VSAT for entire fleet - Digital Ship

SATCOMS NEWS
Iridium-based tracking from Global Satellite
www.globalsatellite.us
Global Satellite USA has launched its new
POLARIS system, a position-reporting
device for monitoring and surveillance
over the Iridium satellite network.
The POLARIS device can be used for
tracking moving assets, such as maritime vessels,
through the transmission of GPS coordinates
via satellite to a PC on a timed basis,
from every 20 seconds to every 24 hours.
The interval between transmissions can
be changed remotely. Geo-fencing can also
be enabled to raise an alert should the
www.zynetix.com
The management of maritime GSM technology
provider Zynetix are in 'final detail
negotiations' for a Management Buy-Out
(MBO) of the entire Zynetix division from
parent company, Sonus Networks.
The deal will also include all necessary
intellectual property and other rights,
along with 100 per cent of the staff currently
working for Zynetix or substantially
engaged elsewhere in Sonus on Zynetix
projects.
Those involved say that 'significant' private
backing has been secured to fully
finance the newly-independent company,
which will continue to trade as Zynetix Ltd.
"Please be assured this should be seen
as a very positive statement and heralds
JRC plays an integral role in the lives of seafarers...
Today, not only do thousands of vessels in the
merchant, fishing and leisure sectors rely on our
products for safe navigation, but also benefit
from our advancements in technology
visit www.jrceurope.com to find out more
device leave a pre-defined region.
The device works on battery power or
external power, and is capable of sending
approximately 4,000 position reports on
one battery charge - the equivalent of
every half-hour for 80 days at sea or
almost 14 days at 5-minute intervals.
Global Satellite CEO, Martin Fierstone,
commented: "The low transmission cost,
rapid deployment and economic price
means that even for small equipment that
wouldn't normally consider this high level
type of tracking, POLARIS provides a
very attractive solution."
The POLARIS system sends GPS position data over the Iridium link to the shore office
Zynetix MBO nears completion
the beginning of another phase for
Zynetix," explained Ian Taylor, managing
director, Zynetix.
"There will be no changes day to day,
and everything continues as 'business as
usual'. Improvements in terms of innovation,
agility and focus should rapidly follow,
building on the solid foundations of
engineering and commercial quality
processes introduced over the last 18
months."
Zynetix will continue to be led by the
existing management team of Ian Taylor,
Andy Odgers, Darryn Trowell, Martin
Reason and Iain Ayres in their current
roles, while Martin Wren-Hilton, lately
head of mobile strategy at the UK's
Carphone Warehouse, has agreed to
become chairman and strategy director.
FleetBroadband
JUE-250
Digital Ship December 2008 page 6
DFDS and MCP extend GSM deal
www.mcp.com
DFDS, a European-based transport network
operating over 60 ships, has
renewed its contract with Maritime
Communications Partner (MCP) for the
provisioning of GSM services onboard
five passenger vessels and five Ro-Ro
ships. The new agreement lasts until
December 2014.
Gert Møller, IT director, DFDS, notes
that the contract could be extended further
as the company develops.
"We want to expand the breadth of
MCP services to all our passenger ships,"
he said. "We are developing the Ro/Pax
segment, and expect to see an increase in
this segment over the years to come."
DFDS has seem GSM services form an
important part of its passenger business
since the technology was installed.
"Connectivity is important to all our
guests. Each year we cater to approximately
115,000 conference participants
www.inmarsat.com
Users of Inmarsat satellite systems should
take note that changes to the telephone
dialling codes for the company's satellite
services are set to come on line at the end
of 2008, with all Inmarsat-based numbers
to change to a +870 prefix.
The move follows an agreement with
the governing body of country codes, the
International Telecommunications Union
(ITU), that Inmarsat will hand back the
four ocean region codes used for its services
since operations began in 1982.
These four codes (+871, +872, +873 and
+874) should not be used after 31st
December 2008, with users now able to
use the +870 prefix no matter which ocean
region the vessel is located in.
The change affects all Inmarsat telephone
services - including Inmarsat B,
mini-M and Fleet - with the exception
of new broadband services like
FleetBroadband and its new satellite
phone services, which already use the
+870 code.
"This change is at the request of the
ITU, but we think it makes life easier for
anyone wishing to contact an Inmarsat terminal,"
said Chris Wortham, who is man-
VHF radiotelephone
JHS-770S/JHS-780D
Black box radar JMA-5300Mk2 series
since 1915
who expect reliable telephony and internet
access to remain in touch with clients
and loved ones," said Mr Møller.
According to Mr Møller, most passengers
don't really realise that they are connecting
to a complex system that uses a
satellite-link.
"Younger people are constantly
in touch via their mobiles, and would
greatly resent being disconnected,"
he said. "We have been trying to keep
prices at an acceptable level, but at
the same time, prices must reflect the
rather high costs involved in this complex
setup."
"MSN and similar services will continue
to develop, resulting in a more realistic
virtual presence, but require new solutions
to make this work over the relatively
limited bandwidth that is available over
the satellite-link."
DFDS has also confirmed the start of
MCP HotSpot/WLAN trials on its ships
sailing in Scandinavia.
Inmarsat dialling codes to change from 2009
aging the switchover project for Inmarsat.
"If you call an Inmarsat terminal
onboard a vessel, for instance, you no
longer need to know in which ocean
region it is sailing. Across all our services,
870 will become the standard Inmarsat
dialling code".
Inmarsat has been working with LESOs
(Land Earth Station Operators) and distribution
partners to ensure a smooth transition,
and the company notes that details of
the change have been posted in IMSO
briefings and ITU operational bulletins, as
well as on Inmarsat's website, newsletters
and magazine.
"Some service providers have seen a
significant increase in the use of the +870
code," said Mr Wortham. "Anyone who
makes calls to an Inmarsat terminal
should ensure that they and their contacts
use the +870 code from now on".
Callers who experience problems
using the +870 dialling code can contact
Inmarsat's customer care helpline
on +44 (0)20 7728 1030, or visit
www.inmarsat.com/870.
In other news, Inmarsat also recently
released its Q3 2008 financial results,
showing maritime sector revenue growth
of 6.7 per cent across voice and data services
compared with the same
period last year, and an overall
rise in profits of almost 60
per cent.
Profit after tax for the quarter
rose from $23.7 million to
$37.6 million, year on year,
despite a global economic
slowdown.
Total active maritime
terminals grew by 4.1 per
cent, while Inmarsat noted
that demand for its Fleet
and FleetBroadband services
remained strong with 35.9
per cent growth in active
terminals.