Entertainment News

Cobham Satcom unveiled its most advanced maritime satellite TV antenna, an antenna that is designed primarily for use on cruise ships and mega yachts, the 3.7 meter Sea Tel 370s TV is a solution designed to expand onboard access to the highest quality programming anywhere in the world, while significantly reducing lifetime technical costs.The Sea Tel 370s TV leverages the newest generation Sea Tel Integrated Marine Electronics (IMA) platform. The TVRO antenna features automatic C-band switching between circular and linear polarization…

With a mission to power the current and next-generation of GPS-enabled products and systems, XONA Space Systems keeps the mantra ‘precision, power and protection’ in all that it does as this 2020-start-up designs, builds and launches its fleet of low earth orbit satellites. We spoke with XONA CEO Brian Manning for his insights on how this could impact the maritime, offshore energy and subsea sectors.The following was excerpted from Maritime Reporter TV’s interview with XONA CEO Brian Manning.

Marlink has provided high throughput hybrid network solutions for Quark Expeditions’ MV Ultramarine since the start of the 2021 Arctic season. After the first full year with the service, the operater said it found that guests and staff on Ultramarine enjoyed continuous, high-quality connectivity despite the high latitudes and harsh operational environment.While Quark Expeditions has operated a fleet of chartered vessels and icebreakers for more than 30 years, Ultramarine is Quark’s first fully owned newbuild and is the newest ship in its fleet.

Intellian Technologies announced its new t-Series and s-Series antennas to enhance the live television (TV) experience for those onboard maritime vessels.The new t-Series antennas, available from September onwards, will leverage improved technology to elevate the user and customer experience. Featuring an upgrade to Intellian’s trademarked WorldView Technology (WLNB), it is designed to enabel seamless television viewing onboard anywhere in the world as vessels travel between regional services.The four new models of the t-Series - t85N, t100N, t130N, t150N - range from 85cm up to 150cm.

KVH Industries, Inc. announced V.Ships Norway has signed up 12 oil tankers for KVH linkHUB, an onboard media player that provides a library of hundreds of hours of licensed premium digital entertainment content from KVH MOVIElink and TVlink services.V.Ships Norway initially trialed the service on one oil tanker and, following positive feedback from the crew, recently rolled it out to a total of 12 tankers.KVH MOVIElink services feature new Hollywood and Bollywood releases curated with seafarers in mind…

KVH Industries, Inc. launched the newest marine satellite TV antenna in its TracVision series. A 1-meter ultra-high efficiency marine antenna, the TracVision TV10 provides the biggest coverage footprint in KVH’s TracVision series and is designed to provide boat owners, charter yacht guests and commercial vessel crews with access to live news, local channels and TV and movie programming from leading satellite TV providers worldwide.KVH describes TracVision TV10 as the world’s lightest 1-meter Ku-band marine satellite TV antenna.

KVH Industries, a provider of mobile connectivity and inertial navigation systems, has introduced a new digital content service called KVH Link to help shipowners, operators and managers provide rest-time entertainment for seafarers and increase onboard productivity.KVH Link provides timely and popular news, sports, movies, TV, music, karaoke, podcasts, documentaries, trending social videos, in the most popular languages among seafarers.Building on KVH’s past experience providing content for crew well-being and its patented IP-MobileCastTM technology for content delivery, KVH Link provides timely and popular news, sports, movies, TV…

Tore Morten Olsen, President Maritime, Marlink, discusses the pace and direction of high speed comms in maritime.Using metrics of your choice, put in perspective where we are today in terms of getting shipowners to adopt high speed communication solutions.The term broadband has been used in the maritime industry for at least a decade and if we are to follow the FCC’s definition which was upgraded to 25mbps from 4mbps (download) in 2015, then those high speed internet services are nothing of the sort.However, everything is relative.

A new report jointly produced by the Port of London Authority (PLA) and Greater London Authority (GLA) says a new vision could maximize the contribution the River Thames makes to culture in the UK capital. ‘’ sets out how clear direction could make the most of the river’s cultural attractions for the benefit of the city’s population and visitors alike.The report aligns with GLA’s priorities for promoting the city and the PLA’s wider Thames Vision, which was launched in 2016, setting out six targets for the economic, environmental and social resurgence of the river, to be delivered by 2035.

The “Ocean of Opportunities Challenge”  (O3 Challenge), a worldwide contest aimed at creating new value through open innovation in the maritime industry, has been successfully celebrated by NYK Group.This was the second consecutive year for the challenge, which is planned and conducted by NYK Group companies Symphony Creative Solutions Pte. Ltd. (SCS) and Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE), together with NUS Enterprise.The contest began in February with ONE issuing six challenges related to its work processes. Over 50 startups from 14 countries subsequently submitted solution proposals, and the top-three were selected on June 27 at Innovfest Unbound…

American manufacturer of recreational boats Malibu Boats announced the launch of an all-new multi-sport boat to the 2020 lineup, the Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX. The 20 VTX is the industry’s renowned, best-selling crossover boat of all time, claimed the towboat sales and the manufacturer of ski boats.The 20 VTX is  designed for families that love to ski glass in the morning and make wakes and waves for boarding and surfing in the afternoon.“Our engineering team put in countless hours developing innovative hull designs that continue to make the 20 VTX the greatest cross-over boat in watersports history,” said CEO Jack Springer.“What makes this new boat unique is the ability to select the sport you prefer without compromising performance for the rest of your crew.

To explore the opportunities in Coastal Tourism, the Shipping and Tourism Ministry may soon set up a committee that will think of strategies to promote cruises and sea sports, the government of India said.The Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya and  Minister of State for Tourism & Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel discussed  the immense potential for  maritime tourism in the country.In a  meeting between the two Ministers held in New Delhi yesterday, the two  ministers  emphasised  the need to promote the important tourist destinations in the coastal areas of the country through coastal tourism, said government press release."It…

Japanese logistics major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that it marked the Marine Day holiday on Monday, July 15, by hosting a tour of the car carrier Emerald Ace at Harumi Pier, in cooperation with the Japanese Shipowners' Association (JSA), as a part of "The Umi-to-Nippon (The Ocean and Japan) Project".MOL welcomed about 600 elementary and junior high school students and their family members, which was twice as much as the event last year, who were selected in an online application process.The guests boarded the huge vessel-measuring about 200m long, and after a welcome message from the captain on the bridge, they got to see and touch nautical instruments and binoculars while receiving explanations from the deck officers…

Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) consented to the construction and of a recreational harbor in Mazandaran province.Mohammadtaghi Ananzorp, the Director General of Ports and Maritime of Mazandaran Province, stated that the committee for the licensing of maritime structures of the Ports and Maritime Organization agreed on the establishment and construction of a Recreational Harbor in the coastal strip of Izadshahr in Mazandaran province.He added that all natural and legal persons applying for the issuance of permits for offshore structures can register through the sm.pmo.ir system to obtain permission from the Maritime Licensing Committee of the Ports and Maritime Organization.Meanwhile…

It’s been reported that Bill Belichick has changed the name of his boat to reflect the number of big game rings he has won.His boat – currently named ‘VII Rings’ (for his seven championship-winning seasons) – stands to be changed to ‘VIII Rings’ if his team comes out with the “W” this Sunday. Discover Boating, an initiative from the recreational boating industry designed to get people out on the water, is kicking off this weekend by offering Coach Belichick a FREE paint job on his boat to update the name and design if he adds another ring to his collection.In addition to the free paint job…

The Swiss-based cruise company MSC Cruises  has waved ‘bon voyage’ to MSC Magnifica as the final guests embarked today in Barcelona for the Company’s first world cruise.For many, the idea of seeing the world is just a dream, but a world cruise is an easy way to make this dream a reality, and the only way to circumnavigate the globe without having to unpack a suitcase more than once! On this first world cruise, MSC Cruises guests will visit 49 different destinations, checking off 32 countries from their bucket lists.From the Mediterranean, to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal and over the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, through the Gulf and back to Europe…

The Maritime Authorities of the Paris and the Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control will start issuing a letter of warning from 1 January 2019 on the sulphur content of marine fuels during inspections in order to increase awareness of and to encourage timely compliance with the new requirements.According to a release from the Paris MoU, the requirement of maximum sulphur content of 0,50% m/m for marine fuel oil will enter into force on 1 January 2020, which is known as the global 2020 sulphur cap.The implementation of the global 2020 sulphur cap will have considerable implications on ship operators, the fuel oil supply chain and the industry as a whole…

On Christman day, Japanese shipping line Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) cooperated with a ship tour sponsored by Mazda Motor Corporation by escorting about 70 elementary and junior high school students and their parents on board an NYK-operated pure car and truck carrier (PCTC).Since 1996, Mazda Motor Corporation has regularly held a tour of this kind as one of its social contribution activities to give children an understanding of the Japanese car industry, stimulate curiosity, and offer the children a memorable experience.Participants first toured the Mazda Museum and then viewed cars produced at Mazda’s Ujina Plant in Hiroshima being loaded on the NYK-operated PCTC Hestia Leader.

The world's largest privately held cruise company MSC Cruises has today announced a new partnership with renowned German chef Harald Wohlfahrt.Voted one of the Top 10 Chefs in the World, and the only German chef to hold a three Michelin Star rating for 25 years in a row, Chef Wohlfahrt represents the best of Germany’s cuisine and embodies MSC Cruises’ commitment to offering new and exciting food options for its guests. Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises Chief Executive Officer, commented: “The world-class expertise of Chef Wohlfahrt brings an exciting new chapter to our onboard dining experience. Working with partners who embody excellence and innovation…

Virgin Voyages, formerly Virgin Cruises, has unveiled its plans for a new terminal at PortMiami.Sir Richard Branson's cruise line said in a press release that the new Virgin Voyages Terminal will be located on the northwest side of the port in Miami, giving it incredible views of the city’s skyline. Construction is due to start next year and will be completed by November 2021, the beginning of the year’s cruise season.“Miami is an incredible city and one of my favourite places to work and play,” Richard Branson said. “From our headquarters for Hotels, Voyages and now Trains USA, South Florida has quickly become another home for Virgin brands in the leisure travel sector.”The new 10…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) celebrated the 50th anniversary for the establishment of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (Thailand).On November 13, it held a party in Bangkok for customers, business partners, and others, marking the event and the centennial anniversary for the opening of liner service to and from Thailand by its predecessor, Osaka Shosen.Around 500 guests attended the event including Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Minister of Transport, and Shiro Sadoshima, Japanese Ambassador to Thailand. MOL President & CEO Ikeda noted that Thailand is the historical center of MOL's extensive overseas network, and Thailand has built a solid position as an ASEAN leader.

Day Tourist Tax for cruise passengers will apply to sea cruise and river cruise passengers effective 1 January 2019 in Amsterdam.According to a release from the Port of Amsterdam, the rate for 2019 has been set at EUR8 per period of 24 hours or less. Note that the tax will not apply to cruise passengers who embark or disembark in Amsterdam (turnaround passengers), but solely to transit passengers.The tax rate is confirmed in November and the tax will be collected by Port of Amsterdam on behalf of the City of Amsterdam. The tax will be imposed separately from other port dues and charges.Operators of river cruise ships can enter the estimated number of transit passengers in Easydock in advance."You have previously received a login ID for access to Easydock.

The Jacksonville Port Authority (Jaxport) served a record number of cruise passengers during the past year, with 199,899 passengers setting sail from Jacksonville. More than 2.4 million passengers have sailed from Jacksonville during 15 years of cruise service at Jaxport.The Carnival Elation offers year-round sailing to the Bahamas from Jaxport’s North Jacksonville Cruise Terminal featuring stops at Freeport, Nassau and the private Bahamian islands of Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays.Jaxport and Carnival Cruise Line recently signed a historic long-term agreement to extend Carnival cruise service from Jacksonville through 2021 and potentially 2027.