With increased digitalisation in the maritime industry, reliance on data transfers and constant vessel monitoring have become the norm. 24/7 connectivity is now simply expected. Ships have essentially become offices at sea, and therefore, inherently manage large volumes of critical data for their daily operations and business continuity. As such, digital systems need to be capable of operating seamlessly over GSM and satcom. It has become imperative that vital software services can be delivered both over VSAT and back-up systems so that, when one loses connectivity, the other takes over without breaking connection or losing important data.
Affordable Onboard Connectivity
Onboard connectivity as a system is also becoming increasingly more complicated. A large vessel’s network typically comprises four WANs: VSAT, L-band, GSM and GMDSS. VSAT is no longer used exclusively for corporate communications and crew welfare. New services are now available via satcom channels. Today, far fewer ships operate over just a single line of communication. It is now common practice to equip an onboard network with one or two back-up lines. In fact, VSAT packages now routinely include L-Band along with any Ka or Ku offer.
As such, maritime digitalisation and communications are not only a matter of safety and efficiency, but also budget optimisation. Weather forecasts and corporate communications received in time can help to optimize vessel routes and subsequently decrease fuel consumption, as well as avoid unnecessary port entries, decreasing operational expenses by 20-30 percent.
Optimized Applications
Maritime satellite communication has been expanded through a wide range of market-specific applications which enable communication systems to be customized. It no longer makes sense to develop solutions solely based on current market demands. Any development undertaken today needs to target the requirements that businesses will have in five to ten years’ time. As such, digital advancements in maritime communication address vessel-specific needs in a cost-effective and future-ready manner.
OneGate by IEC Telecom empowers ship captains to remain fully aware of the network status via a customized dashboard. This virtual environment enables automated failover at least cost routing so that a vessel can utilize traffic over the most competitive channel. Maritime companies can remotely monitor, maintain, and secure their communications infrastructure, streamlining their operations with such useful digital technologies.
Ship-to-shore communications have been permanently transformed with digitalisation. Today, videoconferencing is commonplace onboard large vessels. Regular telecom applications, such as Zoom or MicroSoft Teams, require a bandwidth of at least 500Kbps. Whereas previously it was almost impossible to achieve at sea due to bandwidth limitations and latency levels, new software has been developed to enable videoconferencing to be used even over L-band. For instance, IEC Telecom’s OneTeam video conferencing app requires as little as 40-80 Kbps.
Videoconferencing is the driving force behind a whole new range of smart services, including telemedicine, e-learning and remote maintenance. Systems such as IEC Telecom’s OneAssist application enable repairs, spare part fitting, or vessel system updates to be completed by a crew member or onsite technician. Seafarers can conduct hands-free multi-party video and audio calls for easy collaboration, and access specialist guides and manuals without fear bandwidth being exceeded.
Traditionally, L-band has been used as a back-up channel for emergency communications. Today, thanks to optimized applications, crews can continue to enjoy a full spectrum of telecommunication services even if the main network is down. Notably, with the expanded functionality of the back-up channel, the technical team can hold troubleshooting sessions and even fix VSAT network errors remotely. As a result, the importance of an efficient L-band network infrastructure is turning into the pivotal element of an onboard business contingency plan.
Cyber Security
As ships move ever closer towards the possibility of full automation, the number of business-critical applications are expected to increase exponentially. With this increased dependence on data, it is vital that to verify and authenticate all data as it is recorded and vessel owners need to put in place appropriate procedures and protocols which relate directly to their ship and the way it operates. Ensuring maritime cyber security is critical to crew safety and operational continuity. There is a risk that deficiencies in anti-viral software and security systems could render a ship ‘unseaworthy’ in legal terms.
IEC Telecom is keen to play a crucial role in the development of secure systems such as OneGate where critical vessel functions and crew welfare traffic are carefully compartmentalized. Further, IEC Telecom offers a multi-layer cyber security package that safeguards onboard systems from all known viruses, restores data, and minimizes the risk of cross-contamination between communication channels.
With such incredible advances in digital technologies and the immense benefits of onboard digitalisation, in both high and low bandwidth environments, businesses can confidently navigate their future competitive landscape.
