Satellite Technology Feature Article
November 13, 2009
Stratos Delivers Mobile Broadband to MPC Steamship
By Anuradha Shukla, TMCnet Contributor
Stratos Global, a global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, has reportedly deployed the Inmarsat (News - Alert) FleetBroadband mobile broadband satellite service for the commercial shipping company MPC Steamship.
MPC manages 17 container vessels and bulk carriers and plans to double its fleet by 2011. The company has deployed FleetBroadband from Stratos (News - Alert) onboard the Yangtze River bulk-carrier vessel.
According to a press release, the shipping company is growing quickly and is thus evaluating and deploying world class communications solutions to ensure smooth operations. Although, MPC has deployed the system in one vessel it intends to deploy FleetBroadband from Stratos on the remainder of its existing fleet.
An integration of Stratos’ FleetBroadband and AmosConnect is helping MPC to manage all email, fax, SMS and interoffice communications related to Yangtze River bulk-carrier vessel. The headquarters office personnel are leveraging the remote management capability to manage the ship's computers.
FleetBroadband service also includes database synchronization and access to the onboard voyage data recorder. Stratos Global has also given MPC an option to use FleetBroadband for engine-performance analysis and emissions monitoring.
MPC Ships IT Manager Thomas Hoenig is pleased with the service and said the success of deployment convinced them that FleetBroadband is the future of maritime communications.
Hoenig added that FleetBroadband also enables the vessel to establish one static IP address. This means it is reachable anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection.
Stratos officials said MPC selected Stratos because it offers a wide range of value-added, field-tested services known as The Stratos Advantage.
"Many of today's most progressive shipping companies are discovering that FleetBroadband from Stratos provides an excellent communications platform on which to run a host of mission-critical applications,” said Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm, in the release. “With FleetBroadband as the foundation, ship managers can get the most value from applications that help ensure crew satisfaction, business productivity and cost efficiency."
MPC manages 17 container vessels and bulk carriers and plans to double its fleet by 2011. The company has deployed FleetBroadband from Stratos (News - Alert) onboard the Yangtze River bulk-carrier vessel.
According to a press release, the shipping company is growing quickly and is thus evaluating and deploying world class communications solutions to ensure smooth operations. Although, MPC has deployed the system in one vessel it intends to deploy FleetBroadband from Stratos on the remainder of its existing fleet.
An integration of Stratos’ FleetBroadband and AmosConnect is helping MPC to manage all email, fax, SMS and interoffice communications related to Yangtze River bulk-carrier vessel. The headquarters office personnel are leveraging the remote management capability to manage the ship's computers.
FleetBroadband service also includes database synchronization and access to the onboard voyage data recorder. Stratos Global has also given MPC an option to use FleetBroadband for engine-performance analysis and emissions monitoring.
MPC Ships IT Manager Thomas Hoenig is pleased with the service and said the success of deployment convinced them that FleetBroadband is the future of maritime communications.
Hoenig added that FleetBroadband also enables the vessel to establish one static IP address. This means it is reachable anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection.
Stratos officials said MPC selected Stratos because it offers a wide range of value-added, field-tested services known as The Stratos Advantage.
"Many of today's most progressive shipping companies are discovering that FleetBroadband from Stratos provides an excellent communications platform on which to run a host of mission-critical applications,” said Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm, in the release. “With FleetBroadband as the foundation, ship managers can get the most value from applications that help ensure crew satisfaction, business productivity and cost efficiency."
Anuradha Shukla is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Anuradha’s article, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Patrick Barnard
