Tanker owner takes bandwidth for constant connectivity

Anders Utkilens Rederi is to equip its fleet with a high speed data communication solution that will link the ships permanently to the company?s corporate network. The company has signed a contract with Telenor Satellite Services that calls for the provision of the Sealink satellite service aboard its fleet of 16 chemical tankers. The vessels, which primarily trade in Europe, will get video conferencing and Internet access capability as well as network connectivity. “Demands from our crews and requirements from our technical department made us look around for new maritime communications solutions,” explains Arne Bergsvik, general manager of Anders Utkilens Rederi. “With communications costs becoming increasingly expensive, we decided to integrate the advanced Sealink maritime VSAT system, where we have service always available 24-hours a day, and at a fixed price.” Equipment and antenna installations began this month.