p1-14:p1-14.qxd 10/01/2013 19:10 Page 1 January/ February 2013 Inmarsat and Astrium IN THIS ISSUE agree GX MOU satcoms KGJS to implement Dual iFusion – 2 Astrium Services has been a notable absentee from the confirmed list of Global Xpress reseller partners that Inmarsat has announced over the last Hybrid connectivity – six months – this may be set to change as the companies have confirmed from land to sea – 6 the agreement of an MOU that should pave the way to a formal deal Live training over satellite – the next wave? – 10 fter extensive negotiations, Inmarsat's maritime revenues. with regard to how they would like to Inmarsat and Astrium have It is thought that a number of dif- present the product to the market, AAtaken the first firm steps ferences exist between the two parties particularly when it comes to the inte- software towards a distribution deal for the gration of value added services (VAS) Global Xpress Ka-band service fol- to operate with the Ka-band commu- lowing the agreement of a Memoran- nications network. Performance dum of Understanding (MOU) Astrium is understandably keen to optimisation between the two companies. be able to differentiate its offering at Maersk – 20 The deal, officially an 'MOU on a from that of other competitors pro- Strategic Distribution Partnership viding Global Xpress as far as possi- Unified systems for Agreement for Global Xpress', was ble, and seems to have so far been dis- struck at the Inmarsat partner confer- couraged by Inmarsat's efforts to better shipping – 24 ence in Budapest, Hungary, on exert greater control over the VAS December 5. ecosystem via its alliance with Cisco. Weather routing vs The exact details of what is con- In an interview with Digital Ship in tained in the document have not yet our October issue, Erik Ceuppens, voyage optimisation – 26 been disclosed, though it has been head of the Astrium Services Business confirmed to Digital Ship that the Communications division, admitted MOU does, at least, pave the way for that there had been “tensions” an agreement on Global Xpress to be between the parties, particularly with electronics and reached. relation to the freedom resellers will navigation It has also been confirmed that have to create their own packages both parties are currently in active around the Global Xpress product. negotiations to finalise a deal “in the “Inmarsat is looking at the Global Furuno BNWAS for Tidewater – 30 very near future”, which it is hoped Xpress tie-in of value added services could come about early in 2013. to one connectivity technology. We The IMO’s e-Navigation infrastructure Astrium has so far been conspicu- have, clearly, a different view – there – should we care? – 32 ous by its absence from the growing are connectivity technologies but the list of confirmed resellers for Global solution layer we are building should Changing traditions Xpress, despite the fact that it is cur- be, in a certain way, independent of for the PlayStation rently Inmarsat's largest external dis- the connectivity provided,” said Mr tribution partner, contributing to The MOU is expected to lead to a Ceuppens, in that interview. Generation – 34 approximately 40 per cent of formal deal on GX in early 2013 “This is probably where we have a continued on page 2 “Improved Crew Welfare” www.reformstudio.no www.reformstudio.no Søren G. Krarup-Jensen, General Manager, Crew & Marine HR, Eitzen Chemical Eitzen Chemical operates, overall, around 80 chemical tankers. Based in Copenhagen, Capt Søren Krarup-Jensen heads up Marine HR. “Dualog Connection Suite is the corporate platform for communication with our ships. At the same time it provides our crew members with private e-mail accounts without any adminis- tration on our part”, says Captain Krarup-Jensen. “Dualog provided the combination of fl exibility and control we were looking for – independent of satellite communication systems and airtime vendors”, adds Krarup-Jensen. www.dualog.com (+47) 77 62 19 00 or [email protected] p1-14:p1-14.qxd 10/01/2013 19:10 Page 2 SATCOMS continued from page 1 different view, for example, than reached. first steps in reaching a compromise deal Inmarsat. We strongly believe in diversity. “Clearly, what we are trying to do is that will see the parties able to cooperate I think it’s also of benefit to Inmarsat, establish a strategic agreement with on distribution of the Ka-band service because if there’s no diversity the only dif- Inmarsat on Global Xpress. To come to a under terms that are satisfactory to both. Vol 13 No 5 ferentiator will be price and I think that’s strategic agreement obviously both parties There is certainly an eagerness on both not really healthy for the industry.” need to agree, which is always a process to sides to reach a resolution - after all, Digital Ship Limited “What’s important is that, in the Global go through – and we are currently going Astrium does not want to be unable to 2nd Floor, Xpress framework, elements are there through that process,” he said. offer Global Xpress to its customers as part 8 Baltic Street East that will allow companies to compete on “What is key for us is to be able to build of its portfolio, while at the same time London EC1Y 0UP, U.K. the difference in their value propositions a sustainable business model for Global Inmarsat can ill afford to exclude its www.thedigitalship.com to the customers, and not only to compete Xpress in the future, not only for Astrium, largest maritime partner from its list of on price. For us, indeed, it’s critical that as such, but also for our partners. A major resellers as it tries to recoup its $1.2 billion there is a differentiation possibility based part of our business is still through our investment into Global Xpress. PUBLISHER on the services that we will be able distribution channel, so we are not only Further developments will be Stuart Fryer to add.” negotiating for Astrium, we are negotiat- keenly awaited, to see if Astrium does EDITOR However, despite these differences Mr ing for our distribution channel.” indeed join Telemar, GMPCS, Navarino, Rob O'Dwyer: Tel: +44 (0)20 7017 3410 Ceuppens was still, even at that time, con- It would seem that the companies’ SingTel, Imtech and JRC as a GX partner email: [email protected] fident that a compromise could be newly agreed MOU may now mark the in 2013. DS DEPUTY EDITOR Julie Ann Chan: Tel: +44 (0) 20 7017 3414 email: [email protected] KGJS to roll out Dual iFusion CONFERENCE PRODUCER Cathy Hodge: Tel +44 (0) 20 7253 2700 www.globewireless.com Holding AS and KGJS Cement Holding All external voice and data communi- email: [email protected] AS fleets. cations are controlled by the primary Norwegian shipping company Kristian The Dual Globe iFusion system antenna, however if any connection loss is ADVERTISING Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi AS is to includes a two terminal FleetBroadband detected on the primary the secondary Ria Kontogeorgou: Tel: +44 (0)20 7017 3401 implement the Dual Globe iFusion system configuration, with one terminal acting as terminal antenna is used automatically for email: [email protected] from Globe Wireless as the communica- the primary communication system and all services. PRODUCTION tion solution for both the SKS Tankers the secondary terminal acting as a backup. The secondary terminal also serves as a Vivian Chee: Tel: +44 (0)20 8995 5540 backup and can become the primary ter- email: [email protected] minal in the event of primary terminal hardware failure. EVENTS Globe Wireless already had an existing Diana Leahy Engelbrecht relationship with KGJS prior to this deal, Tel: +44 (0)118 931 3109 and the two companies have worked email: [email protected] together to develop and evaluate the spe- CONSULTANT WRITER cific requirements and communication Dr Andy Norris (navigation) systems needed. [email protected] “Globe Wireless has been working with us, not as a supplier, but as a partner DIGITAL SHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS throughout this time and has demonstrat- €180 per year for 10 issues ed exceptional commitment and flexibility Subscribe online at in offering us a satellite communications www.thedigitalship.com, solution that satisfies our evolving needs,” contact [email protected], said KGJS, in a statement. or phone Diana Leahy Engelbrecht on: “They were open to our ideas and had +44 (0)118 931 3109 many of their own to offer. Globe Wireless’ Dual Globe iFusion solution will UPCOMING CONFERENCES ensure that there is reliable, high quality DIGITAL SHIP SCANDINAVIA The standard Globe iFusion system will be supplemented by a second back-up antenna broadband communications between our Grieghallen, Bergen vessels and offices ashore.” 30-31 January 2013 “In addition, Globe Wireless is meeting DIGITAL SHIP HAMBURG our bandwidth needs, along with provid- Magnushall, Hamburg Globecomm hits 3,500 ing a complete turnkey solution including 27-28 February 2013 logistics, equipment, service, support and applications. This level of support DIGITAL SHIP CYPRUS www.globecommsystems.com Globecomm has also installed 300 Wi- enables us to focus on our business at a Magnushall, Hamburg Fi networks on ships to enable managed more efficient level reducing our opera- 23-25 April 2013 Globecomm Systems has announced that it internet access for crews, as well as com- tional costs.” has reached the milestone of providing con- bining hybrid VSAT and GSM services, Printed by nectivity services to 3,500 ships globally. enabling remote access to onboard IT net- The Manson Group Ltd “The growth of our maritime services works and providing firewall and anti- Beam Communications has cele- Reynolds House, 8 Porters' Wood segment is a core strategy for Globecomm virus products.