28 September 2016: Inmarsat partner Singtel has completed one of Asia’s first commercial installations of Fleet Xpress.

Inmarsat’s maritime-focused, secure high-speed broadband service was fitted on “K” Line Ship Management Singapore’s 9,600 TEU capacity container ship Houston Bridge.

Lim Kian Soon, Head of Singtel Satellite, said: “As the leading satellite communications services provider in the Asia Pacific region, we are pleased to help “K” Line to increase their vessel’s efficiency with the Fleet Xpress service.

The service’s high-speed broadband, which leverages our secure and reliable connectivity, allows maritime firms to introduce new business applications on-board their vessels that optimise and streamline the management of their fleets.”

Big data

“K” Line is using Fleet Xpress to apply big data analysis for operational efficiencies by monitoring engine performance and fleet management. The service will also provide ship-to-shore internet connectivity to support crew welfare.

“K” Line’s Managing Director, Capt. Shoji Fukuda, said: “To keep abreast with new technology and stay transformational as one of the largest transportation companies, “K” Line Ship Management Singapore undertakes the advantages of a high throughput service like Fleet Xpress to optimise business efficiency, achieve cost savings and provide stronger crew welfare. We are pleased to work with a trusted partner like Singtel to deliver this service for us.”

The experienced installation team from Singtel, one of Inmarsat’s largest Fleet Xpress partners, migrated the vessel’s Ku-band satellite internet service to Inmarsat’s Ka- and L-band service. The installation involved changing the vessel’s antenna hardware and reconfiguring its complex on-board network while ensuring that day-to-day operations were not affected.

Guaranteed performance

“The launch of Fleet Xpress marks a new page in maritime communications with continuous connectivity and guaranteed performance across the world’s oceans,” said Gerbrand Schalkwijk, Chief Sales Officer, Inmarsat Maritime.

“This is a milestone on the industry’s journey towards smart shipping and opens up a new era of crew connectivity and operational efficiency. Being scheduled as an Asia-US East Coast service, Houston Bridge is physical proof that mainstream shipping has started the transition to high speed continuous connectivity.”