Raising the bar for satellite communications access at sea

Raising the bar for satellite communications access at sea
8 Nov 2021 https://satelliteprome.com/opinion/raising-the-bar-for-satellite-communi...

Jens Ewerling is Product Manager, VSAT at Cobham SATCOM.

In its most recent Seafarer Happiness Index report, the Mission to Seafarers found there to be an increase in investment, and subsequent improvement in access to connectivity at sea, because of Covid-19.

Connectivity at sea is evolving fast. Developments in satellite communications are continuing at a rapid pace. At the same time, the advancement of the entire digital ecosystem is unlocking superior safety, cost and operational efficiencies for ship owners and operators all over the world. The evolution of LEO, GEO, HEO and MEO satellite networks, alongside current technical progression on maritime VSAT antennas, is set to further enable owners and operators to access previously unattainable highspeed communications out at sea.

However, to ensure the benefits are truly realised requires a change in mindset from owners and operators. At present, commercial owners and operators budget an average of less than 1% of their operating expenditure for satcoms. This means that the extraordinary current advancements in satellite networks and VSAT antennas are still yet to be realised by many, despite maritime satellite communication providers offering a diverse and flexible array of packages, including higher bandwidth options. The lack of uptake indicates that satcoms is viewed as less of an investment and more of a necessity in the shipping industry.

Why connectivity at sea matters now

If we are to provoke a change in perception and raise the benchmark for connectivity, we need to adjust the overarching approach to, and view of, connectivity at sea.

Two prominent trends in the shipping industry demonstrate why now is the right time to embark on this journey. Firstly, the importance of access to high-performing satcoms to improve seafarer wellbeing has been brought to the forefront of conversation over the last year. The outset of the global pandemic and ensuing crew change crisis, which saw crews stranded out at sea for months without consistent and reliable connectivity, raised the profile of discrepancies in access to connectivity at sea. The increased profile of the relationship between connectivity at sea and mental wellbeing has caused many owners and operators to reevaluate their communication set-up.

In its most recent Seafarer Happiness Index report, the Mission to Seafarers found there to be an increase in investment, and subsequent improvement in access to connectivity at sea, because of Covid-19. However, the report also found scope for improvement, with the results reflecting a notable inconsistency in the connectivity access provided by ship owners and operators.

This reaffirms the need for ‘minimum acceptability’ for connectivity at sea, with the packages offered not only directly influencing the health of seafarers but defining the credibility of owners and operators as future employers.

An investment in future operations

Secondly, investing in high-performing connectivity could also unlock greater access to IoT applications, data sharing and remote operations, such as land-based monitoring of onboard machinery, digital training, video conferencing with onshore teams and greater data sharing and analysis. This would enable owners and operators to better streamline operations, saving time and money, while paving the way for a better-connected, optimised fleet of the future.

With the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) standard set to enter into force in 2023, high-performing connectivity will become a greater necessity. It will be required to facilitate real-time monitoring of, for example, fuel, bridge and automation systems, where performance monitoring and optimisation will be key to fulfilling new efficiency requirements.

Supply and demand

Looking to the future, industry expectations and demands are set to evolve, heightened by digital transformation in other sectors. With high-performing connectivity a fundamental element of enabling greater digitisation, it will become a question not of whether owners and operators need to invest, but of when they need to.