MCP Hires Two Senior Executives

Maritime Communication Partner (MCP), a global provider of onboard communications solutions, has announced the recruitment of two highly experienced senior executives to lead its dedicated Offshore and Cruise and Ferry Business Units.

Tom Lowehr, until recently the Head of Program Management at Astrium Business Communication, has joined as Senior Vice President (SVP) of the newly launched Offshore business unit, while Lars Munkso, formerly of US stock-listed energy services group Cameron, becomes SVP of the Cruise and Ferry business unit.

“To sign two individuals of this calibre speaks volumes about MCP’s standing in the market,” comments MCP’s Managing Director, Eivind Madsen. “Individually Tom and Lars offer unique and lengthy business experience, while their combined insight and drive will help us build on the success we’ve achieved so far and target new market opportunities.”

A key opportunity lies in Offshore. MCP has over a decade of experience in providing mobile communications solutions to the cruise and ferry segment, where it has emerged as the undisputed market leader – with over 150 individual vessels contracted to its CellAtSea® network, providing over 13 million users with seamless mobile coverage in 2012. Now the Telenor-owned, but independently operated, firm is looking to leverage that expertise to break into the dynamic offshore market.

MCP has developed a solution for the segment whereby contracted vessels will be able to provide crews with the facility to communicate at sea as they do on land. This is achieved by connecting to the most appropriate and rational network depending on location, including facilitating connections with both terrestrial networks, up to 50 nautical miles from land, and with networks based on installations in the North Sea.

While Lowehr will steer his business unit in a new direction, Munkso is being charged with using his 30 years of industry experience – garnered from the marine and offshore, and oil and gas sectors – to consolidate MCP’s market leadership in the Cruise and Ferry arenas.