Singtel completes one of the first installations of Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress in Asia with “K” Line Ship Management Singapore

28 September 2016

Singtel has completed one of Asia’s first commercial installations of Fleet Xpress, a maritime-focused, secure high-speed broadband service from Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. The installation was recently completed on “K” Line Ship Management Singapore’s (“K” Line) 9,600-twenty foot equivalent unit capacity container ship Houston Bridge.

Mr Lim Kian Soon, Head of Singtel Satellite said, “As the leading satellite communications services provider in the Asia Pacific region, we are pleased to help ‘K’ Line to increase their vessels’ efficiency with the Fleet Xpress service. The service’s high-speed broadband, which leverages our secure and reliable connectivity, allows maritime firms to introduce new business applications on-board their vessels that optimises and streamlines the management of their fleets.”

“K” Line is using Fleet Xpress to apply big data analysis for operational efficiencies by monitoring engine performance and fleet management. It is also using the service to provide ship-to-shore internet connectivity to support crew welfare.

“To keep abreast with new technology and stay transformational as one of the largest transportation companies, “K” Line Ship Management Singapore undertakes the advantages of a high throughput service like Fleet Xpress to optimise business efficiency, achieve cost savings and provide stronger crew welfare. We are pleased to work with a trusted partner like Singtel to deliver this service for us,” said Capt. Shoji Fukuda, Managing Director, “K” Line Ship Management Singapore.

Singtel, one of Inmarsat’s largest Fleet Xpress partners, successfully managed the installation with its experienced installation team, who migrated the vessel’s Ku-band satellite internet service to Fleet Xpress’s Ka- and L-band services. The migration involved changing the vessel’s antenna hardware and reconfiguring its complex on-board network while ensuring that day-to-day operations were not affected.

“The launch of Fleet Xpress marks a new page in maritime communications with continuous connectivity and guaranteed performance across the oceans. This is a milestone on the industry’s journey towards smart shipping and opens the new era of crew connectivity and operational efficiency. Being scheduled as a Asia-US East Coast service, Houston Bridge is a physical proof that mainstream shipping has started the transition to high speed continuous connectivity. We have a long standing relationship with Singtel who are one of our leading partners in Asia, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come,” said Mr Gerbrand Schalkwijk, Chief Sales Officer, Inmarsat Maritime.