Marlink to Provide Hybrid Network Connectivity to 100 Ships operated by Thome Group

Maritime communications specialist Marlink has signed an agreement to provide hybrid network connectivity services to at least 100 ships operated by shipmanager Thome Group. 

The contract will guarantee that the vessels are equipped with Marlink’s high speed VSAT service as well as L-band back-up to ensure flexible guaranteed bandwidth at all times. 

Based in Singapore, the Thome Group provides integrated ship management services, as well as offshore management, oil and gas marine services and crewing.

The company has about 200 vessels under full technical management. 

Thome selected Marlink as the trusted provider to streamline and harmonise data services across the fleet, accelerating its digitalisation strategy and collecting business critical operational data required for smart vessel operations, Marlink said.

 The new contract also ensures that Thome managed vessels have sufficient bandwidth to keep crew connected with family and friends.

"Central to its decision to consolidate its connectivity strategy, Thome sought a global provider with a future-proof strategy, reflecting Marlink’s agreements to provide new LEO and MEO services as part of its hybrid solutions, enabling Thome to utilise Marlink’s digital services portfolio in the near future," Marlink said.

Also, according to the maritime comms specialist, by choosing Marlink as provider, Thome can also tailor the service offered to each shipping company from a variety of service levels. 

Key to providing this new standard of connectivity for Thome Group is Marlink’s use of a flexible Committed Information Rate (CIR) to deploy guaranteed bandwidth which can be adjusted based on the vessel’s data demand, Marlink said.

"Marlink is delighted to be Thome Group’s newest partner for critical connectivity solutions, enabling the company’s digital operations strategy," said Tore Morten Olsen, President, Maritime, Marlink. "We look forward to helping Thome create a leaner, more agile fleet, able to work with complete flexibility and achieve higher efficiency. "

"Thome’s reputation with its customers rests on our ability to present the most innovative solutions in ways that can be easily adopted regardless of ship type or trading pattern," said Say Toon Foo, Vice President IT, Thome Group. "This agreement with Marlink is a further step on a digitalisation journey that will help our customers realise the benefits of digitalisation on a standardised platform."