While the voting procedure for the 2019 SMART4SEA Awards is open, Sally-Anne Ray, CEO, NSSLGlobal, talks about the satcom solutions that NSSLGlobal offers for which the organization has been shortlisted in the ‘Connectivity’ category alongside other distinguished nominees. As explained, NSSLGlobal offers many IoT services trying to adopt to technological developments toward maritime digitalization and innovation. While we are enjoying the benefits of a connected world, there are increased cyber risks, Mrs Ray notes; to face the demands for greater cybersecurity, bandwidth and always-on connectivity, NSSLGlobal uses its experience to provide a positive environment for all users. Certainly, digitalisation, AI and smart connectivity are setting the agenda for the industry, Mrs Ray concludes, explaining the plans for 2019 to keep pace with next-generation technology.
SAFETY4SEA: Your organization has been shortlisted for the 2018 SMART4SEA Awards in the ‘Connectivity’ category alongside a number of other distinguished nominees. What would you like to share with industry’s stakeholders with respect to this development?
Sally-Anne Ray: At NSSLGlobal, we’re constantly striving to innovate and create differentiated products and services that enable customers to get the optimal always-on connectivity they need at an affordable rate. The 2018 SMART4SEA Awards nomination in the ‘Connectivity’ category follows on from FusionIP’s success earlier this year at the VSAT Stellar Awards in the Most Innovative Satellite Application category. They are both proving that NSSLGlobal’s innovation and engineering momentum is being recognised by the industry as a whole.
S4S: When it comes to tackling the smart challenges around the shipping sector, what are the core priorities on your agenda?
S.A.R.: NSSLGlobal is committed to developing robust future proof solutions to service the needs of our customers. We’re constantly scanning the horizon to see where satcoms and technology are heading as maritime digitalisation is taking quantum leaps in innovation and adoption.
The Internet of Things (IoT) also means that we are all enjoying the benefits of a connected world, but unfortunately this is also leading to increased opportunities for cybercrime. Our satcoms infrastructure, IT solutions and people need to meet these challenges with the corresponding demands for greater cybersecurity, faster speeds and always-on connectivity.
Parallel to this, NSSLGlobal Technologies, our R&D, arm is focussed on developing and engineering next-generation Hub and modem technology focused on the maritime and government markets with security and mobility being at the core of new feature sets that will be launched to our customers during 2019.
S4S: How does greater connectivity change life onboard? What is your advice to industry stakeholders to improve seafarer wellness and safety?
S.A.R.: With BIMCO and ICS predicting 150,000 more sailors will enter the industry by 2025, it is necessary for companies to invest in improved connectivity. Infotainment is necessary for companies to share corporate videos for health and safety, HR, training, education and security, especially as mental health issues are increasingly being highlighted.
NSSLGlobal is committed to providing solutions to help our maritime customers meet their wellness and safety obligations to crew. For example Oceanic Dynamics is rapidly becoming trusted as an on board virtual assistant to CTV’s (Crew Transfer Vessels) operations as well as the HSE department, allowing fleet owners an all-encompassing solution to remotely monitor offshore vessel safety, performance and workload. NSSLGlobal also offers a suite of crew wellness services including hotspot wifi as well as CrewVision, our proprietary ship entertainment/infotainment service, offering a wide variety of viewing content which utilises a dedicated multi-broadcast channel over our award winning VSAT network.
S4S: Do you have any new projects on the pipeline and/or plans that you would like to share with the rest of the industry?
S.A.R.: Digitalisation, AI and smart connectivity are setting the agenda for the industry. NSSLGlobal is positioning itself through acquisitions, innovation and continuous development of our engineering expertise to provide robust solutions. It is forging a reputation as an engineering powerhouse by expanding its R&D and global engineering support capabilities.
NSSLGlobal is definitely not standing still, and 2019 will see a steady introduction of next-generation technology enhancements to its current portfolio. It is also our 50th anniversary next year and the company will be celebrating in style, with customers and partners.
S4S: What is your key message to the industry for enhancing safety onboard and ashore in the smart era?
S.A.R.: Bandwidth is important but in the world of always-on connectivity so too is making sure that you work with a provider that helps you manage your bandwidth and on-board network providing a safe, secure and positive environment for all users. NSSLGlobal uses its decades of cybersecurity experience delivering secure solutions to the world’s largest governments to ensure that critical security controls are at the core of all of its products, applications and services. Maritime organisations must consider whether their systems and cyber strategies adequately future proof them against current and emerging threats.
On top of the recent cybersecurity videos that we provide free for crew education on how to protect themselves and the ship from cyberattacks, we will be launching a cybersecurity white paper in 2019, which is designed to assist maritime organisations and shipping companies on cyber best practice needed to mitigate cybercrime.
You may cast your vote for NSSLGlobal at 2019 SMART4SEA Awards dedicated webpage till 21st of December 2018!
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
