46 MISC vessels to install XpressLink's broadband service

MALAYSIAN shipping group MISC Berhad (MISC) is installing Inmarsat's XpressLink broadband Internet service that offers unlimited data availability worldwide via both VSAT and FleetBroadband on 46 of its chemical and LNG tankers.

XpressLink is a fully integrated and managed combination of VSAT and FleetBroadband. The deal includes a free upgrade to the Ka-band Global Xpress service after launch.

The XpressLink solution from Inmarsat includes an option for the shipping company to double its available bandwidth at a pre-determined monthly rate when the Global Xpress constellation becomes commercially available from 2014, according to media reports.

"It is important for us to have ample bandwidth to manage our ship and shore operational systems and meet the communication needs of our seafarers at sea," said Captain S Rajalingam, vice president fleet management systems at MISC Berhad.

The scope of the agreement between MISC and Inmarsat also includes the potential for further future deployments beyond the agreed 46 vessels, including the Petronas subsidiary's ships. MISC Group currently operates a fleet of approximately 100 ships.

"We launched Inmarsat XpressLink in response to the growing need for unlimited high speed communications in the worldwide shipping market," said Frank Coles, president of Inmarsat Maritime.

Inmarsat said its XpressLink combines Inmarsat's high volume Ku-band VSAT system with the versatility of FleetBroadband in a single package. The integration of both Inmarsat services means that ship and shore communications can be seamlessly and professionally managed with end-to-end support. The dual system design also results in redundancy delivering near 99.9 per cent uptime.