Marlink, the world’s leading maritime communication and maritime VSAT operator, has signed a strategic alliance with Inmarsat (LSE: ISAT.L), which will see Inmarsat’s new Fleet Xpress service integrated into Marlink’s existing service portfolio. Through the agreement, Marlink will bring more than two thousand vessels to Inmarsat’s new Fleet Xpress service over a five-year period.
Fleet Xpress, the Global Xpress maritime solution, sets a new standard in broadband maritime communications, delivering the highest levels of reliable high-speed broadband connectivity and exceptional performance across all of the world’s oceans as well as facilitating innovative ‘Connected Ship’ applications.
Marlink unlocks significant operational potential for its Fleet Xpress customers by providing access to a diverse range of Value Added Solutions, including its XChange communication management platform with capabilities including Universal Remote Access for increased IT efficiency and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) for crew communication.
“We’re delighted to add Fleet Xpress into our broad service portfolio,” said Erik Ceuppens, CEO, Marlink. “Fleet Xpress augments our ability to cater for the continuing growth of maritime broadband with a unique strategy that integrates communication services and digital solutions for diverse customer requirements.”
“Today’s agreement with Marlink is a significant endorsement of our new Fleet Xpress service,” said Rupert Pearce, CEO, Inmarsat. “Although Fleet Xpress was only launched in March, it has been enthusiastically welcomed by the maritime market. This success serves to highlight the growth potential of the Global Xpress network that powers Fleet Xpress and reinforces our position in maritime.”
Fleet Xpress heralds a new era of innovation in the maritime sector. It facilitates the deployment of a new generation of Connected Ship applications and with them, a host of operational benefits that will support cost reductions and competitive advantage enhanced by those ship owners and operators that embrace the benefits of global, reliable, high-speed broadband services.
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.
Fleet Xpress will be taken to market through Inmarsat’s powerful and committed direct and indirect sales channels. Inmarsat Maritime, Inmarsat’s direct maritime sales arm, intends to transition more than 2,600 existing XpressLink installations to Fleet Xpress, and to convert its substantial committed XpressLink backlog, to Fleet Xpress over the next three years.
Inmarsat’s maritime channel partners include all the leading maritime communications resellers, providing global reach, customer intimacy and value-added capabilities in support of Fleet Xpress, and a well-managed pathway for Inmarsat’s current FleetBroadband customers to migrate over time up to Fleet Xpress.
About Global Xpress
Global Xpress is the world’s first global mobile satellite communications service delivering seamless, secure, high-speed connectivity on land, at sea, and in the air from a single operator. Global commercial service introduction (CSI) was achieved for Global Xpress (GX) during December 2015.
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).
The Inmarsat press release newsfeed and corporate updates are on @InmarsatGlobal.
About Marlink
Marlink is the pioneer of business critical communication solutions for customers operating in remote environments. With 600 employees and 27 offices worldwide, the company is the largest technology-independent satellite communication and digital solutions provider serving the maritime and enterprise markets. Marlink’s multi-band communication services covering Ku, Ka, C and L-band extended with mobile and terrestrial links, enable over 200,000 customers to operate in an ever smarter, safer and more profitable way.
With over 75 years’ experience in developing innovative business critical communication solutions, Marlink’s strategy is to deliver the benefits of a digital and connected world to its customers’ remote operations. Today Marlink is the leading maritime communication and VSAT operator in the world. Marlink leverages strong partnerships with all major satellite network operators to deliver communication solutions direct to the customer and via an unrivalled network of service provider partners.
