Inmarsat joined forces with Shell Shipping and Maritime and maritime digital consultancy Thetius to launch a new ‘Open Innovation Challenge’, which aims to identify the technology needed to boost crew safety, health and wellbeing at sea at a moment when COVID-19 has exposed the welfare of seafarers to global scrutiny.
2020 is proving to be a crucial year in the development of technologies and initiatives relating to maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). In what is seen as the point of departure for regulators, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee is set to conclude an initial scoping exercise into the application of IMO regulations in the context of MASS.
Following COVID-19 outbreak, Inmarsat and the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) collaborated and launched a call service for seafarers onboard vessels.
Asia’s first ‘Decarbonising Shipping’ initiative has recently launched with the aim to harness the power of start-ups to meet UN targets on greenhouse gas emissions. The regional initiative, based in Singapore, is part of the Trade & Transport Impact (TTI) programme from venture development firm Rainmaking to bring startups together with backers with maritime experience and expertise.
Inmarsat Maritime president Ronald Spithout says providing crews with enhanced levels of connectivity and support is critical at this unprecedented time, and offers an insight into the work already underway with welfare organisations to assist seafarers in need.
Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress was chosen to provide connectivity assistance to the deep Ocean Research Institute, Nekton. Through their collaboration, Fleet Xpress will enable Nekton to capture underwater images from the floor of the Indian Ocean and then to be transmitted to the audience around global.
According to a recent statement, the corporate innovation and venture development firm, Rainmaking, matched five maritime giants with eight startups as part of its Trade & Transport Impact Program. Namely, Cargotec, HHLA, Inmarsat, Shell, and Wärtsilä will all work together with startup teams from eight different countries, on 13 separate projects with the aim of “accelerating innovation that delivers genuine business results.”
Global satellite communications provider Inmarsat and its partners, Addvalue Innovation Pte Ltd and Network Innovations, launched the first type-approved IP-based terminal and Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for fishing vessels operating in US waters, marking a significant milestone for sustainable fishing in the region.
Inmarsat launched its 2019 Superyacht Connectivity report highlighting that 80% of superyacht professionals are not fully aware on how to boost their cyber security measures, adding that some do not have a third-party organisation in charge of their security management on-board.
