Nordic Tankers migrates fleet over to Inmarsat XpressLink

Following extensive sea trials, chemical tanker operator Nordic Tankers has begun switching its fleet to the XpressLink hybrid wireless-VSAT service offered by Inmarsat.

Nordic Tankers evaluated competing satellite communications solution. Eventually the company tested XpressLink aboard the 5,800 dwt chemical tanker Nordic Nelly at sea. The reliability of the fully-integrated Ku- and L-band solution persuaded Nordic to switch to the Inmarsat service.

The Nordic Tankers fleet is comprised of almost 130 vessels.

XpressLink automatically shifts between FleetBroadband and VSAT depending on which system offers the best coverage at any given time and place. The Inmarsat-managed solution offers broadband speeds up to 768kbps and a reliable, high-quality service anywhere in the world for a fixed monthly cost. 

XpressLink can also upgrade to Inmarsat Global Xpress when Inmarsat’s superfast Ka-band satellite broadband network becomes commercially available from 2014.

ViaSat ships 500th VR-12 ultra-small VSAT Ku-band antenna

In delivering the five hundredth unit of its VR-12 Ku-band airborne ultra-small satellite communications antenna with integrated ArcLight technology, ViaSat has achieved a new milestone in the military and general aviation markets.

ViaSat designed its VR-12 SATCOM antenna for service aboard aircraft that could only accommodate onboard communications equipment limited in size, weight, and power. Despite its compact size and light weight, the VR-12 is capable of handling media-rich applications, which require advanced broadband SATCOM capabilities.

Furthermore, ViaSat designed a “hatch-mount” version of the VR-12 airframe system. This version is an integrated antenna system and radome package that can be dropped into the escape hatch of a C-130 transport aircraft.

Other versions of the VR-12 installations are tail mounts for planes such as the PC-12 (U-28) and commercial Gulfstreams, and a fuselage mount used for MC-12W aircraft in government service.

According to Paul Baca, the General Manager for ViaSat Global Mobile Broadband, the VR-12 proves that larger antenna designs are not always the way to go. GM Baca says that the ultra-small 30-centimeter aperture of the VR-12 accomplished numerous successes in the installation of Ku-band satellite communications systems. He explained that ViaSat was designing a Ka-band antenna version of the VR-12 to handle traffic from the growing number of Ka-band satellites.

Inmarsat installs XpressLink VSAT systems on TORM A/S cargo fleet

Inmarsat cinched a mobile satellite communications service contract with TORM A/S, a Copenhagen-based carrier of refined oil products and dry bulk cargo. Inmarsat has already installed XpressLink SATCOM systems on 17 of TORM's bulk carrier and tanker fleets. The remainder of TORM's fleet will be equipped over the next three years.

TORM required high speed communication to enhance its efforts in streamlining its shipping operation and optimising maritime and land-based resources while also reducing costs. Inmarsat's XpressLink solution manages itself, allowing TORM to focus on ensuring efficient operations and superior customer value.

In addition, TORM had been planning to migrate from C-band satellite communications to the higher-capacity Ku-band. XpressLink not only facilitated the move, but also provided a future proof solution through its upgrade path to Global Xpress.

Inmarsat's XpressLink combines separate VSAT and FleetBroadband wireless into a fully integrated and managed maritime SATCOM solution that delivers unlimited data availability anywhere in the world. XpressLink can manage and support end-to-end ship and shore communications by tapping Inmarsat’s established global infrastructure. Its dual system design ensures a very high level of redundancy and is capable of maintaining 99.9% uptime.

In addition, when Inmarsat begins commercial operations of its planned Global Xpress Ka-band satellite constellation in 2014, XpressLink will have its bandwidth doubled for free. XpressLink's services will stay at the same fixed monthly rate, ensuring it remains viable as a low-cost, high-speed satellite communications solution.

Harms Bergung equips tug fleet with Inmarsat XpressLink broadband-VSAT system

Harms Bergung will equip the Inmarsat XpressLink hybrid VSAT-wireless communications platform on its anchor handling tug fleet, according to an announcement by Inmarsat.

DH-INTERCOM served as the broker between Harms Bergung and Inmarsat. A German maritime communications specialist, DH-Intercom is one of the first XpressLink distributors ever approved by Inmarsat. It is also an Inmarsat service provider with Gold accreditations. The XpressLink contract it recently brokered would be DH-INTERCOM's second such successfully contract in Germany.

Based in Hamburg, Harms Bergung provides transport and heavy lifting maritime services. Installing the Inmarsat XpressLink platform gives its fleet a fully-integrated hybrid Ku-band and L-band wireless and satellite communications solution for a fixed monthly cost.

XpressLink's FleetBroadband L-band service supports always-on data speeds of 768kbps while its maritime VSAT service provides a committed information rate of 192kbps. The dual system enhances the security and capability of an XpressLink-equipped ship's communications and Internet connectivity wherever it may be.

In addition, Harms Bergung can choose to upgrade to Global Xpress -the next-generation global Ka-band satellite network- for free. Set for launch on 2014, the Global Xpress satellite broadband service is expected to double the bandwidth available to maritime customers.