A total of 2,500 Chinese fishing vessels are to be equipped with Inmarsat Mini C terminals in the first stage of a landmark deal backed by the Chinese government. The contract is the first to be awarded as part of the Chinese Zhejiang project, which seeks to equip a total of 16,000 Chinese fishing vessels with satellite-based safety and communication services by the end of 2009. The project is being developed to allow vessels to report their locations and appeal for emergency help, receive navigation maps and automatic warnings when they cross bordering territory. Inmarsat distribution partner MCN is one of four providers picked to bid for the project offering Inmarsat's Mini C service and Thrane & Thrane 3026S terminals. Zhejiang Province was the first of 11 Chinese provinces to choose the services and providers it would prefer for its vessels.