GPS News

Satcom Direct (SD) has confirmed the successful functioning of the Plane Simple™ Antenna System during a series of transatlantic and European validation flights. In more than sixteen hours of testing amassed during a three-day mission, the tail-mounted, Ku-band Plane Simple Antenna System demonstrated its compatibility with the Intelsat FlexExec satellite network. Seamless data transmission was supported by the SD ecosystem of hardware, software, and terrestrial infrastructure, as it deli...

The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) has awarded a contract to Kongsberg Protech Systems USA to deliver Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) as part of the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) programme. The Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract has a potential value of $94 million and includes a series of Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) systems and full-rate production units. This production contract award follows a Sept. 2020 contract award from the USMC to KONGSBERG for test...

Xeneta’s Long-Term XSI Public Indices has revealed yet another monthly hike in long-term ocean freight rates, with global container prices climbing by 3.2%. The development follows a 2.2% increase in August 2021 and an unprecedented 28.1% jump in July 2021, leaving rates now standing 91.5% up year-on-year. What’s more, Oslo-based Xeneta reports there is little evidence to suggest a weakening of market fundamentals – meaning there could be more pain in store for shippers, with...

Wrsit's logistics branch in Copenhagen has launched its new and groundbreaking forwarding platform. It is based on the latest within Cloud Technology, setting new standards for the future of forwarding business in Wrist. The online portal is developed to meet the current and future needs of customers, supporting the demand for a higher level of digitalisation. Automatic real-time tracking and complete transparency Log on to Wrist's logistics customer portal, where users can follow orders with...

Inmarsat, the world renowned company in global mobile satellite communications, has secured a contract for its new Fleet LTE service, covering the connectivity needs of several Solstad Offshore North Sea vessels.  Offshore vessel operators commonly buy LTE and VSAT connectivity separately, using LTE when within range of shore, rigs or wind farm networks then relying on crew to switch manually to VSAT beyond 4G coverage limits. Costs can be hard to control where services are billed separate...

As the global maritime industry looks back on a hugely challenging year for seafarers, four major maritime charities will come together at Inmarsat, to explore how technology will shape the future for seafarers’ welfare. The Mission to Seafarers, in collaboration with The Seafarers’ Charity, Stella Maris and Sailors’ Society, will be fielding their CEOs, on each of the four panels. Promoting Seafarers welfare This half-day afternoon conference, ‘Meeting the needs of se...

Kongsberg Digital (Kongsberg) and Shell International Exploration & Production (Shell Marine) have announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership agreement. Hege Skryseth, President of Kongsberg Digital and Executive Vice President (EVP) at Kongsberg, said “We are very excited to enter into this new strategic partnership agreement with Shell International and enable the digital transformation of their Wells business unit.” Digital transformation Hege Skryseth ad...

Edge sensor technology developed by HENSOLDT will strengthen Frontex maritime surveillance in the Mediterranean Sea and contribute to the protection of Europe’s strategic south-eastern border. In the frame of a technology pilot programme, HENSOLDT’s ARGOS-II HD Electro-Optical Infrared (EOIR) system will be deployed on two tethered aerostats and deliver extensive security surveillance. Frontex maritime surveillance project The project is operated by Frontex, the European Border an...

MetOcean Telematics (MetOcean) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Orolia’s OmniCom vessel management systems (VMS) and fleet management solutions (FMS). OmniCom is the next generation of trusted real-time fleet management technology designed to provide constant connectivity to customers, businesses, vessels, and crew while at sea. The acquisition includes the complete portfolio of OmniCom Global and OmniCom Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). OmniCom’s range of products OmniCom...

Global survival technology provider - Survitec has re-launched its lifeboat inspection solution, underpinned by the company’s novel ‘Hub and Spoke’ network model. Lifeboat Inspection 402, devised in line with regulations mandated in 2020 under SOLAS Chapter III & IMO MSC.402 (96), has been enhanced to deliver greater flexibility and convenience to vessel operators. Lifeboat Inspection 402 solution Metkel Yohannes, Survitec’s Lifeboat Product Category Manager, said:...

Inmarsat, the globally renowned company in global, mobile satellite communications, has published a new report based on an exclusive analysis of Global Maritime Distress and Safety Services alerts from ships. The Future of Maritime Safety Drawing on distress calls sent free at the point of use via the Inmarsat network, from vessels worldwide, between 2018 and 2020, The Future of Maritime Safety report is published by the Inmarsat Research Programme and has been written by the team at Intent Co...

Tokyo-based renowned maritime services and classification society, ClassNK has announced the release of their ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’. ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’ The purpose of the publication, ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’, is contributing to the development of the maritime industry, by publishing the outcome of R&D (Research & Development) and technical activities. The latest issue ‘Class NK Technical Journal No.3 2021 (I)’ focuses...

Inmarsat Maritime Ventures, a subsidiary of Inmarsat, mobile satellite communications, has signed an agreement with SRH Connect (SRH) for SRH to acquire Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband customer base in Greece and Cyprus.  The SRH acquisition involves customer contracts purchased by Inmarsat Maritime Ventures from Speedcast at the beginning of this year. SRH already provides customer support for Inmarsat’s Fleet Network Manager portfolio after signing a customer support agreement in M...

Satcom Direct, the business aviation solutions provider, has completed phase one of the strategic integration of MySky, the AI-powered spend management platform designed for the private aviation industry. The incorporation of the single sign-in functionality into SD Pro®, the digital flight operations and communications platform, now enables SD Pro users, subscribed to the MySky platform, to seamlessly access and optimise spend management and operations data directly from the SD Pro dashbo...

Sofia, Cargo transport in Bulgaria is highly dominated by road. In the mid-2000s, railways remained a major mode of freight transportation, but with increasing problems with the maintenance of the infrastructure and lowering speeds, highways carried a progressively larger share of freight.   As the global integrator of container logistics- A.P. Moller - Maersk. plumps for rail transportation in Bulgaria and from today on offers cargo block train services in both directions -import and...

  In May 2021, Maastricht Maersk arrived at APM Terminals Maasvlakte II in Rotterdam, carrying on board two iconic Maersk containers, painted skillfully with a rainbow to celebrate diversity and inclusion. The Rainbow containers were displayed at APM Terminals Maasvlakte II until 16 May, giving the employees of the terminal and of other A.P. Moller - Maersk brands a chance to sign the inside of the boxes, as a symbol of their own personal commitment to diversity and inclusion.   One...

  Maersk remains committed to ensuring the supply chain needs are met in this period of uncertainty and intensified congestion all around the globe. In this “Asia Pacific Market Update”, Maersk provides the most relevant and up-to-date information so that together Maersk navigates this period of heightened volatility and keeps the supply chain moving. Industry Trends As the world and businesses continue to face challenges, Asia Pacific leads the way in projected GDP growth:...

  PUMA’s ‘Forever Faster’ mission continuously earns it a place at the forefront of sports innovation, fashion and design. It leads to firsts from the athletes they sponsor, like Usain Bolt and Neymar Jr, and leads to firsts in other areas, including supply chain innovation and logistics leadership. In a category defined by speed-to-market, PUMA is always looking for ways to get their latest merchandise out to consumers more efficiently and cost-effectively...

SBM Offshore has reached a new milestone in its digital transformation program: ABS has issued New Technology Qualification (NTQ) to SBM Offshore’s artificial intelligence-powered Intelligent Agent Mooring Line Integrity Tool, allowing the technology to be integrated into offshore systems for the first time. This tool is built on SBM Offshore’s unrivalled mooring expertise and FPSO lifecycle management, combined with the advancement in machine learning capabilities. It enables the d...

Speaking at Space Comm in Farnborough, United Kingdom, Rajeev Suri, Chief Executive Officer of Inmarsat, the front-runner in global, mobile satellite communications, will call on the UK space sector to innovate, to work together and across borders, to commit to sustainability and to use procurement decisions to grow the industry. Among five key recommendations to the gathered UK space sector, Mr. Suri will call for a ‘Net Zero’ equivalent for space to ensure the sustainability of th...

MetOcean Telematics is pleased to announce it will be exhibiting at NATIA 2021 in Tampa, Florida, USA, from July 12th to 14th, 2021. They are looking forward to connecting with NATIA members and showcasing their latest products and technology. Visit the MetOcean Telematics team at booth 826 at the NATIA 2021 event. MetOcean Telematics at NATIA 2021 event NATIA is comprised of over 3,500 law enforcement, intelligence, and support personnel, who provide electronic surveillance, technical operat...

In June 2021, the largest aircraft landed at Aalborg Airport. First, a Boeing 777-300ER carrying 60 tonnes of personal protection equipment from Malaysia, and then another air charter followed. This time, it was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 37 tonnes of more equipment. Blue Water manages the logistics Blue Water managed the transport from the Malaysian manufacturer and the following domestic distribution Both deliveries were ordered by Stadsing A/S, based near Aalborg in Denmark, who had as...

In conjunction with their airtime service partners - SD Government is buoying up DataWave™ Ku-band network throughput to deliver faster transmissions for all maritime communications.  Maritime customers already optimising the DataWave Ku services will now benefit from highly customisable satellite services, access to the latest real-time weather and nautical information, and the ability to stream video applications including Zoom, Skype, or other internet broadcasts. Unlimited data...

Global survival and safety solutions provider, Survitec, has announced that it has completed a £15 million Bank Guarantee Facility with Barclays Corporate Banking. This bank guarantee complements the company’s recently announced £270 million refinancing, as well as a new £27.5 million Super Senior Revolving Capital Facility. All three of the agreements are part of Survitec’s growth plans for its survival technology products and services. Survitec attains bank guar...

PIL announces that it is resuming its direct Mozambique Service from 29 July 2021, offering customers a direct connection from Singapore to Reunion, Tamatave, and Mozambique. The enhanced service is part of the Company’s continuous effort to strengthen its service offerings to the Eastern and Southern African market. Madagascar and Mozambique cargo which previously relied on transshipment at Mombasa, Kenya, can enjoy the comprehensive service with better schedule reliability and shorter...

DNV, the classification society, has launched Compliance Planner, a new digital tool that enables DNV customers to easily track the requirements and deadlines of legislation for both individual vessels and entire fleets. As both the number and complexity of international shipping regulations continue to grow, navigating the timelines and requirements has become an increasing burden on ship owners and operators. Compliance Planner presents a full overview of the requirements facing any v...

Global survival and safety solutions provider, Survitec has announced that it has completed a £27.5 million Super Senior Revolving Capital Facility (RCF) with Santander UK. This new facility is in addition to the recently finalised £270 million refinancing announced by the company in April 2021. Both agreements support Survitec’s growth plans for its survival technology products and services. New RCF complemented by a foreign exchange facility The new RCF is complemented by...

In today’s truly global economy, optimising supply chains has been the key to clawing back some of the constantly shrinking profit margins. But as companies work hard to meet rising customer expectations, logistics has become a multi-layered, multi-part machine that is vulnerable to unexpected events or even bottlenecks that can cause major disruptions. Overcoming the pandemic  Maersk’s Supply Chain Management is designed to help cut down on the complexities and make supply...

Ocean Infinity, a globally renowned marine robotics and deep sea data acquisition company, is implementing ShipManager fleet management software for 17 new robotic ships and additional autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Ocean Infinity will implement ShipManager’s modules for planned maintenance, procurement, and business intelligence for its advanced fleet of uncrewed, low-emission vessels for capturing ocean data. Securing reliability We know DNV has validation in the market and Sh...

Satcom Direct (SD) has completed the next phase of terrestrial expansion to its global private network. To strengthen its ground infrastructure and augment redundancy the global satellite solutions provider has enhanced individual Points of Presence (PoPs) and upgraded its global network to support the increasing connectivity needs of its customers. The update includes expansion into the Asia Pacific region to provide additional connectivity options for customers and complements existing PoPs...