Boeing signs up Teekay

Teekay Shipping and Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of Boeing, announced the signing of an agreement that makes Teekay the international launch customer for the Connexion by Boeing Maritime Service. The maritime service allows vessels in mid-ocean transit to experience global high-speed communications at affordable rates. For the first time, maritime operators will be able to benefit from the same high-speed connectivity service that is revolutionizing the way travelers and airlines communicate in-flight at 30,000 feet.

The agreement calls for the high-speed communications service to be fitted on 50 of Teekay?s vessels, with an option to install on an additional 40. “As we worked closely with Connexion by Boeing during the service trial last year, we were very impressed by the power and potential the technology provides,” said Graham Westgarth, president of Teekay Marine Services, a business unit of Teekay Shipping. “The trial gave us a glimpse of the future where our vessels will become a virtual extension of our offices ashore. Our sea staff will benefit from the latest information and technology solutions available, contributing to their lifestyle on board, while enhancing the efficiency of our operations. The service will also complement our existing communications infrastructure, enabling us to explore innovative business opportunities and solutions with our customers.”

The service will provide data rates up to 256 kbps from the vessel to the satellite and data rates up to 5 mbps from the satellite to the vessel. The high data rate enables multiple, simultaneous users to access the Internet, corporate intranet, and e-mail, get the news, weather or destination information via a simple portal interface.

Installations and service commencement are expected in the fourth quarter of 2005.