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

Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), announced today that its partner Singtel has completed one of Asia’s first commercial installations of Fleet Xpress, its maritime-focused, secure high-speed broadband service. 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 world’s oceans. This is a milestone on the industry’s journey towards smart shipping and opens up a new era of crew connectivity and operational efficiency. Being scheduled as an Asia-US East Coast service, Houston Bridge is 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.

About Singtel Satellite

Singtel Satellite is Asia’s leading provider of one stop satellite communications and ICT solutions, driving innovations to meet voice and digital challenges in Fixed and Mobile Satellite segments on both land and at sea. As a founding member of Inmarsat since 1979, Singtel has been providing a full suite of Inmarsat services. With a strategic focus on Maritime communications, Singtel engages the key needs of Maritime customers with ICT applications in Cyber Security, Crew Welfare, Operational Efficiency and Control and Monitoring, bridging mission critical communication gaps between ship and shore. Our powerful Ku, C and extended C beams cover the Asia-Pacific region, Middle East, Africa and parts of Europe, allowing you to constantly stay connected.

For more information on Fleet Xpress, visit www.singtelofficeatsea.com or contact smlead@singtel.com.
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About Fleet Xpress

Fleet Xpress delivers a unique, fully integrated dual capability of high speed, high capacity services (Global Xpress) together with high reliability safety-level services (FleetBroadband) in a single commercial package which is available anywhere in the world.  Fleet Xpress is further enriched by Inmarsat Gateway, a unique service enablement platform designed to provide ship owners, managers and operators with access to a new generation of value-added maritime applications, services and solutions. 

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (ISAT.L).