Nakilat Upgrades VSAT Service for LNG/LPG Fleet
Nakilat, the shipping arm of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas sector, has entered into a contract with Global Eagle Entertainment Inc.’s Emerging Markets Communications (EMC) service line to provide marine VSAT services for vessels in its fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers.
Under the contract, Global Eagle Entertainment’s EMC is supplying global Ku-band VSAT connectivity and content to enable a range of internet, data and voice services for the vessels and crew. The installations were completed recently on eight Nakilat vessels, which will ensure continuous connectivity for their ships sailing global routes. The onboard satellite communication suite includes a high-quality voice-over-IP system for the corporate network, lowering the costs of voice calls over the satellites. The crew welfare system provides always-on internet connectivity to communicate with family and friends at home.
Nakilat Administration Director Rashid Hamad Al-Marri said the agreement with EMC “will significantly contribute to the development of the communication systems’ infrastructure and facilitate Nakilat’s maritime operations.” He continued, “As an owner of one of the largest LNG fleets in the world, staying connected while at sea is essential for Nakilat’s global operations. By utilizing EMC’s VSAT technology, we are able to ensure real-time information is accessible and that our personnel can stay in touch with their families during the vessel’s voyage while at the same time, realize cost savings for the company.”
“Nakilat’s modern LNG and LPG carriers are highly sophisticated specialized ships, requiring the highest levels of dependable connectivity for ships’ business and crew welfare,” said Gilles Gillesen, president of EMC’s commercial shipping business unit. “Our seamless global coverage and network infrastructure, coupled with our suite of patented technologies, provides an unmatched value proposition enabling customers like Nakilat to bring the benefits of modern voice, internet and high-speed data to their ships at sea.”
