[SatNews] A new communications service has been launched for merchant vessel operators...

GE - Satcom recently unveiled the commercial launch of a satellite-based communications service designed to support a range of value-added services for merchant vessel operators. The project was originally developed and co-piloted in close collaboration with a Hamburg-based German fleet operator whose insight into the needs of commercial shipping and its crew were critical to the solution design. A six month pilot was first carried out on board a large container vessel operating between ports in Asia, Africa and Europe, and following successful acceptance the service has now been scheduled for commercial roll out to 14 more ships.

The Satlynx Maritime solution from GE - Satcom provides a sophisticated platform for delivering an innovative triple-play service The solution provides telephone, Internet access and a range of TV content including daily news, sports reports and magazine shows that can be multiplexed into any cabin, technical or recreation room. The cost effective, flat-rate service operates on the iDirect Evolution platform. Using Ku-band as the primary link, the service can automatically switch to an L-band link via Inmarsat or Iridium as a back-up solution.

A maritime customer of GE - Satcom, Captain G. Falk Bethke, Chief Superintendant of Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG, said, "GE - Satcom have been extremely flexible in overcoming their customers’ primary challenges and adapting to their specific needs. GE - Satcom’s simple retrofit solution provides a scalable platform on which cutting-edge fleet management applications can be built, such as location tracking, eco-routing, and performance monitoring to reduce operational costs - for both new builds and existing ships alike."