TUI Cruises uses Starlink with Marlink (2024)

• Thursday, 11 April 2024 |

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• UK Antarctic research ship uses Starlink satcoms from Clarus

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  The Roald Amundsen hybrid vessel will leverage Kongsberg Digital's Vessel Insight cloudinfrastructure and Vessel Performance Offshore application to support the vessel's powermanagement, port charging, and electrical systems. These technologies aim to boostoperational efficiency and promote sustainability.HX (Hurtigruten Expedition) has entrusted Kongsberg Digital with deploying its vessel-tocloud infrastructure, Vessel Insight, and the Vessel Performance Offshore application forboth onshore management and onboard the MS Roald Amundsen.By implementing a specially crafted Vessel Insight infrastructure with the VesselPerformance module for hybrid vessels, Kongsberg Digital's solution will gather informationfrom the vessel's sensors and data points onboard. This comprehensive data analysis willempower the crew and onshore team, further enhancing the vessel's operational capabilitiesand sustainability.The MS Roald Amundsen, named after the legendary explorer, made her maiden voyage in2019 and is built on Kongsberg Maritime design and technology, including environmentallysustainable hybrid technology and a dynamic positioning system, stabilisers and anintegrated automation system. The vessel exemplifies leading hybrid technology fromKONGSBERG – demonstrating how large vessels can operate efficiently using hybridpropulsion and utilise digitalisation to reduce their carbon footprint.Tailored specifically for polar waters, the MS Roald Amundsen leads the way in sustainableocean travel. By harnessing electrical propulsion, the vessel reduces emissions, setting a newstandard for eco-friendly voyages and using digitalisation to enhance hybrid operations.Kongsberg Digital's collaboration with HX marks a significant milestone in the digitaltransformation of the expedition cruise industry. The infrastructure is set to be installedduring the spring of 2024.“HX is a frontrunner in using digital technology to optimise its operations and enhancesustainability in maritime operations. Deploying Vessel Insight and the Vessel PerformanceOffshore application aboard the MS Roald Amundsen is a testament to KONGSBERG's closehistory with HX and our shared commitment to pioneering sustainable maritime solutions.”,says Ivonne Auerbach, Head of Customer Success at Kongsberg Digital.

• Marlink provides hybrid network solution on “Exploris One” expedition cruise ship

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  Marlink, the leading smart networks and digital solutions company, has installed a complete hybrid network solution for the new French expedition cruise company, Exploris, onboardExploris Oneduring the vessel’s refit in Valparaiso, Chile.

  The solution provided is designed to deliver complete coverage and connectivity to the expedition cruise ship, including LEO from Eutelsat OneWeb, Starlink and Iridium, Marlink GEO VSAT, TV-RO and 5G GSM services. The network solution powers the onboard ethernet/Wi-Fi network and a customer portal. Whether guests are exploring remote islands or venturing into uncharted territories, they can now enjoy seamless, secure connectivity and unparalleled digital experiences onboard.

  Designed to serve the French-speaking leisure market, the 144 guest ship began her season in December 2023 to South America and the Antarctic Circle and will offer 32 further departures during its inaugural season.

  The programme features itineraries to locations including Antarctica, the Atlantic Islands, Western Europe, Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, Canadian Arctic and South America. These remote and sometimes harsh locations require a hybrid network able to keep the vessel and its guests connected regardless of conditions.

  Marlink’s technical team organised the installation of the antennas, below decks equipment and integration to the ship’s network during an extensive refit which saw the ice-capable vessel prepared for sailing to remote and polar regions.

  “Exploris has a mission dedicated to bringing new and exciting locations to life for our guests and enabling them to share their experiences with friends and family in real time,”said Philippe Videau, President, Exploris.“Marlink shares our vision of providing excellence to our guests and keeping the vessel safe and connected wherever it is sailing.”

  “Only Marlink has the expertise to orchestrate complex networks enabling digital services and possibilities onboard and provide them in a solution that supports vessel operations and enables guests to share their experiences,”said Tore Morten Olsen, President Maritime, Marlink.“We are delighted to provide Exploris with the very best hybrid solution for Exploris One and wish her well during her maiden season.”

• SLOMAN NEPTUN installs 2 x Starlink antennas plus VSAT

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  Bremen based SLOMAN NEPTUN operates a modern fleet of 19 tankers and dry cargo vessels and the company has begun rolling out dual Starlink antennas across its ships with Navarino. Ingo Wenske, IT Admin, and Eckhard Bartkowski, Head of IT, who are overseeing the project explained the thinking behind their new setup –

  ‘We have chosen Starlink because we really wanted to upgrade the connectivity available onboard our fleet. In tests, we found that with a single antenna, there were occasional signal drops either because of the vessel’s course, or due to obstructions. This is why we have decided to adopt a dual antenna approach with Starlink, in order to minimize such disruptions and to provide high speed, low latency connectivity as seamlessly as possible. We also have VSAT installed, which will now act as a backup system for us.

  We are looking forward to the new possibilities that Starlink can offer for both our business and crew welfare operations. In the past, using VSAT we found that it could often be difficult to effectively synchronize onboard business applications because of the lower speed and higher latency of VSAT. Now, with Starlink this becomes much more feasible and its high speeds mean that we can effectively treat our vessels as a true extension of our office – for example we are also going to begin using Microsoft Teams for video calling with our fleet over the Starlink connection, something which really wasn’t possible before with VSAT only. We have already had very positive feedback from our shore based IT teams who are really happy with the functionality that Starlink provides, as it makes remote access both to and from the vessel very smooth and seamless, which is a major upgrade to the way they work.

  Having said that, we do consider that keeping the VSAT in combination with Starlink is very important. For example there are areas our vessels visit around the world that Starlink is not approved for usage and so having a fall back system like the VSAT is crucial to ensure that business and crew connectivity can continue to function.’

  Frieder Voelsen, Account Manager for Navarino Germany added ‘We are very proud to be working with SLOMAN NEPTUN on this project. Combining dual Starlink antennas with VSAT is the ultimate connectivity approach and we are delighted that they have put their trust in Navarino to deliver the high speed, low latency connectivity of Starlink. I look forward to supporting and working closely with them for many years to come.’

• Tototheo Maritime provides Starlink to Orion Reederei

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  Tototheo Maritime provides Starlink to Orion Reederei revolutionizing connectivity and crew welfare

  Tototheo Maritime proudly announces its partnership with Orion Reederei, a prominent ship management company based in Germany, in a transformative move towards enhancing connectivity and crew well-being.

  Orion Reederei manages a fleet of approximately 40 bulk carriers and is deeply committed to the welfare of its crew and operational efficiency. Recognising the critical importance of reliable and seamless communication at sea, Orion Reederei has joined forces with Tototheo Maritime to harness the cutting-edge capabilities of Starlink, aiming to advance connectivity and crew satisfaction.

  Captain Sosnowski, Master of M/V ‘Pax’ noted, “The crew can now effortlessly communicate with their families and friends, share important moments, and access valuable information, regardless of our location. Starlink’s dependable, high-speed internet access offered has significantly enhanced their overall well-being and morale onboard.”

  "We are thrilled to partner with Tototheo and offer our crew members the benefits of Starlink's advanced satellite connectivity," said Mirko Labenda, IT Generalist at Orion Reederei. "Our crew's well-being is of utmost importance to us, and by providing reliable and high-speed internet access, we are ensuring they can stay connected with their families and friends while delivering their duties effectively. Tototheo's expertise and support throughout the installation process have been exceptional."

  Tototheo remains committed to delivering innovative and reliable satellite communication solutions to its clients worldwide.

  "We take pride in collaborating with Orion Reederei as they strive to provide top-notch connectivity and crew welfare on their vessels," said Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, co-CEO at Tototheo Maritime. "This partnership underscores our shared vision of embracing cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of the maritime industry. The positive feedback received from Orion Reederei's crew members reinforces the importance of reliable and high-speed connectivity at sea. We are excited to continue supporting Orion Reederei in extending Starlink across their fleet, ensuring their crew remain connected."

  This agreement marks a significant chapter in the partnership between Tototheo Maritime and Orion Reederei, where reliable connectivity and crew welfare take center stage.

• f*ckujin Kisen implements Marlink hybrid network with Starlink

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  Marlink, the smart network and digital solutions company, has won the contract to deploy its smart hybrid network solutions on the owned fleet of leading Japanese shipowner f*ckujin Kisen Co Ltd.

  Marlink already provides communications solutions to the f*ckujin Kisen fleet and the increase of its commitment reflects Marlink’s consistent delivery of innovative solutions to the company, helping to optimise vessel operations and support the company’s business and crew welfare strategies.

  The new hybrid network solution combining Marlink VSAT and LEO L-band back-up includes the Starlink high throughput, low latency LEO internet solution. A trial Starlink installation was made on a Capesize bulk carrier, alongside high capacity VSAT and L-band back-up.

  Imabari-based f*ckujin Kisenowns and manages a wide variety of vessels including containerships and product carriers, with a primary focus on bulk carriers chartered out to major shipping companies in Japan and overseas.

  During the trial, f*ckujin Kisen used the LEO internet services to provide an additional layer of interactive network capability onboard ship. Starlink’s high speed, low latency connectivity formed an integral part of the hybrid network solution, designed to provide a high Maximum Information Rate (MIR) with low latency alongside the guaranteed Committed Information Rate (CIR) provided via VSAT.

  Key to improving the quality of the user experience is Marlink’s XChange platform which uses SD-WAN functionality to enable cloud applications and remote operations at sea by ensuring guaranteed connectivity levels to run business and crew applications that Starlink’s high bandwidth alone cannot provide. XChange enables the seamless fusion of the different networks - whether GEO, LEO or L-band - to leverage the benefits of a single secure network hybrid solution with the highest uptime available and guaranteed global coverage.

  “The philosophy of f*ckujin Kisen is that tradition is not maintained but built; we must continually make progress in order to serve our customers and retain the skills and experience of our crew,”said Mr Masaki Takabatake, Manager, Marine Project Group Leader, f*ckujin Kisen.“This expansion of our long-standing relationship will enable us to deploy LEO internet onboard and support our ESG initiatives to improve crew welfare and conditions onboard ship for our seafaring teams in the digitalisation era.”

  “Marlink is dedicated to helping shipowners on their adoption of innovative connectivity services and solutions that combine new business applications with the ability to deploy next generation crew services in the era of high performance and greater efficiency,”said Tore Morten Olsen, President, Maritime, Marlink.“We are delighted to be providing f*ckujin Kisen with the platform on which to evaluate Starlink and achieve a new level of operational efficiency.”

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