Norbulk Installs Iridium OpenPort(R) Across Fleet of Managed Ships in Move to Control Communication Costs

Sep 7, 2010

Iridium Communications Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!irdm/quotes/nls/irdmannounces that Norbulk Shipping is installing Iridium OpenPort(R) high-speed satellite communication systems across its fleet of more than 70 ships in a move to reduce its monthly ship-shore communication costs.

Iridium service provider AND Group is supplying the equipment and service plan for the Norbulk ships. AND Group is integrating the satellite terminals with a robust connection suite to provide a powerful web-based tool for managing all aspects of e-mail, data and voice communications for crew welfare and ship's business.

"We have now installed Iridium OpenPort terminals on more than 400 ships around the world," said Ian A. Robinson, CEO of AND Group. "The system provides reliable, global, high-bandwidth satellite connections at a fraction of the cost of other high-speed mobile satellite systems."

"Iridium OpenPort, coupled with AND Group's flexible service plan, will help us greatly reduce our monthly satellite communication charges," said Walter Woodage, director and general manager of Norbulk. "In the current economic climate, it's vitally important for us to control our operating costs in order to remain competitive."

"Iridium OpenPort is rapidly gaining momentum in the maritime marketplace as more ship operators like Norbulk discover its unique advantages and benefits," said Greg Ewert, executive vice president of global distribution channels at Iridium. "Since introducing the product in 2008, we have delivered and activated more than 2,300 terminals."