National Marine Electronics Association Recognizes KVH Product Excellence with 2016 Awards

30th September 201630th September 2016Phil Page

KVH’s TracPhone satellite communications and TracVision satellite TV systems honored at annual NMEA conference

MIDDLETOWN, RI – September 30, 2016 – KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) is pleased to announce that the top marine electronics professionals in the country have honored two of KVH’s marine satellite systems for their outstanding performance and reliability. KVH’s TracPhone V3-IP received the National Marine Electronics Association’s (NMEA) 2016 Product of Excellence Award in the satellite communications antenna category, while the TracVision TV3 received the 2016 Product of Excellence Award in the satellite TV antenna category.

This is the 19th consecutive year that KVH has achieved the NMEA distinction for its TracVision satellite television antenna systems and the 14th time that KVH’s TracPhone satellite communications systems have been recognized. NMEA is an industry group made up of more than 600 companies, including manufacturers, dealers, and boat builders.

“NMEA’s skilled professionals work on boats and with boaters every day, so they have an unmatched understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and what keeps their customers satisfied,” says Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH chief executive officer. “We are gratified to have earned this recognition from NMEA and its members based on their firsthand experience with our products and services, along with those of our competitors. We strive every day to justify the confidence that NMEA experts and their customers have placed in us.”

Norsafe Builds on Growing Military Business by Exhibiting at Euronaval

29th September 2016Phil Page

Due to its success in the military and professional sector, Norsafe will be exhibiting at Euronaval in Paris Le Bourget, from 17^th to 21^st October 2016.

On display will be a model of the Munin S1200, Norsafe’s high speed patrol boat, which offers excellent reliability and the capability of maintaining high speeds in heavy seas.

The boat is designed to operate away from land based installations or the mother ship for extended periods of time, with sufficient range for long duration operation.

Norsafe personnel will be on hand to talk visitors through the company’s comprehensive military and professional range and videos will demonstrate the manoeuvrability and reliability of the vessels.

Braemar Ajusting promotes Randy Lim

28th September 2016Elaborate Communications

Braemar Adjusting is delighted to announce the promotion of Randy Lim from Senior Adjuster to Director, effective immediately.

InterManager expands its global membership, including first Chinese member

28th September 2016Elaborate Communications

The international ship managers’ body, InterManager, has extended its global membership by welcoming four new members, including its first Chinese member.

Chinese shipping firm The International Trade Ocean Shipping Supply Company (ITOS Supply), together with London-based MarTrust, USA-based Maritime Payment Solutions and Australia-based The Seafarer Foundation had their memberships approved by InterManager’s Executive Committee earlier this month; placing maritime finance services and ship supply firmly around the ship management industry’s table.

Welcoming the four new members, Capt Kuba Szymanski, Secretary-General of InterManager said: “As InterManager welcomes its first Chinese member, we hope to open a cohesive dialogue with the Chinese on the importance of Chinese representation in the ship management sector. These four members will be an asset to the Association as their specialisms are fundamental to the running of an interconnected industry.”

Looking forward to future involvement, Eva Dai, President of ITOS Supply said: “As the first Chinese member of InterManager, we look forward to building links between owners, managers and all related parties, by listening to the voices from the international shipping industry and explore new opportunities within China.”

Speaking proudly of its new membership to the Association, maritime payments solutions provider MarTrust Managing Director, Domenico Carlucci said: “We are looking forward to engaging with InterManager and to learn more about the challenges the industry – and members – face as well as supporting the association in general.”

Talking of its new membership, The Seafarer Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, James McCully said: “We are delighted to be accepted as a member of InterManager. We look forward to working with InterManager members on developing a sustainable future for the maritime industry.”

Looking forward to participating in industry discussion Stuart Ostrow, President of Maritime Payment Solutions said: “We are very excited to join InterManager and are looking forward to the opportunity to engage with other members and discuss the issues and challenges we are currently facing. InterManager’s role in the marketplace has become increasingly important given the tumultuous environment and economic uncertainty of the industry.”

Woolly hats at the ready!

27th September 2016Elaborate Communications

Following last year’s successful Woolly Hat Day, The Campaign for Wool is once again urging those up and down the country to wear wool to raise money for The Mission to Seafarers on the 14^th October as part of Wool Week 2016.

Ship owners and managers gather in Singapore

27th September 201627th September 2016Elaborate Communications

Ship owners and managers will gather in Singapore next week to examine the latest industry developments and international concerns surrounding the notion that today’s shipping industry is not immune to the global terrorist threat – be it physical or across the internet.

The Mission to Seafarers calls on Hanjin Shipping to think of their seafarers

23rd September 2016Elaborate Communications

Global maritime welfare charity, The Mission to Seafarers, has today offered to help Hanjin Shipping in providing welfare support to their 2,500 seafarers on board 97 container ships. The South Korean container shipping giant, the world’s seventh-largest line, filed for receivership last month, putting thousands of jobs at risk. Some port authorities are refusing entry, as the ships could be arrested on arrival, with the financial situation at such a critical stage and the while funds to unload the ships remain in doubt.

ARC Welcomes Comments Highlighting Responsibilities for Keeping Ships Safe in West Africa

19th September 201619th September 2016Elaborate Communications

Management company Africa Risk Compliance (ARC) has welcomed recent comments highlighting the issue of who should be responsible for ensuring the security of ships operating in West Africa.

It was reportedly stated on the sidelines of the Safety At Sea Conference, that if Navies in the region can’t take all measures to provide security to ships then private companies should be allowed to do so.

Following on from these comments, Michael Wingate, CEO of ARC – a management company that offers full operational support with specialist expertise in maritime security in West Africa – has praised the industry for raising the issue, and believes that shipping needs to act in support of the provision of security in the region. Read more →

Videotel Produces New Programme for Safe Navigation in one of the World’s Busiest Shipping Lanes

19th September 201619th September 2016Phil Page

“Safe Passage in the Singapore Strait” is a multi-national training initiative led by the maritime authorities of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore

MIDDLETOWN, RI, and LONDON, UK – September 19, 2016 – The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has released a training programme, produced by Videotel^TM, a KVH company, (Nasdaq: KVHI), to encourage safe navigation in the Singapore Strait.

Carrying an estimated one third of the world’s traded goods, the Singapore Strait is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Recent projections show that maritime traffic is set to increase significantly along this narrow waterway, which, together with the Malacca Strait, stretches for more than 400 miles, connecting the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

ICS Pilotage, Towing and Mooring Survey 2016 Now Underway

15th September 201615th September 2016Debra Massey

John Murray, ICS Marine Director

The role of the pilot in mitigating the potential economic and environmental risk from today’s large vessels is one of the most important in maritime safety. In recognition of this, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has embarked upon its first comprehensive survey of pilotage, towing and mooring services provided in ports and terminals around the world.

The aim of the ICS Pilotage, Towing and Mooring Survey is to evaluate the extent to which established best practice is being followed, such as that recommended by the latest ICS Bridge Procedures Guide. Masters and Bridge Teams are being encouraged by ICS to highlight examples of good practice which make particularly valuable contributions to safety, environmental protection and the efficiency of ship operations. The survey also provides an opportunity to suggest any locations where existing practices may be of concern.

John Murray, ICS Marine Director explains: “Our aim is to establish an objective view of pilotage and related services worldwide, which will then inform our work on further enhancing application of existing industry best practice. The balanced feedback from the survey will provide invaluable assistance with our goal of continuous improvement.”

Major Commercial Fleets Committing to New KVH Broadband Airtime Plans

12th September 201612th September 2016Phil Page

KVH’s CEO Martin Kits van Heyningen

KVH’s usage-based airtime plans provide the fastest possible mini-VSAT Broadband network speeds and innovative cloud-based bandwidth management tools

MIDDLETOWN, RI – September 12, 2016 – KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), is driving a sea change in the way that global maritime fleets are using broadband at sea. The company’s usage-based airtime plans now represent a majority of users on KVH’s global satellite network, mini-VSAT Broadband^sm, which continues to be the market share leader in maritime VSAT.¹ In recent months, many of KVH’s largest and most important fleet customers have chosen usage-based plans—including Open plans, the newest set of usage-based airtime plans offered by KVH.

Urgent Need for Governments to Act on Ballast Water Chaos

8th September 2016Debra Massey

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) notes Finland’s significant announcement that it has acceded to the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention. This suggests that this new regime, to protect local ecosystems from the impacts of invasive species, will enter into force worldwide during September 2017.

ICS therefore reiterates that it is now more vital than ever that IMO Member States finalise the revision of the G8 Type Approval Guidelines for treatment systems at the next session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee this October.

ICS Chairman, Esben Poulsson said:

“We must ensure that shipowners can have absolute confidence that the expensive equipment they will soon have to install will be effective in treating ballast water conditions normally encountered during worldwide operations and be regarded as fully compliant during Port State Control inspections. Read more →

New Industry Report Confirms KVH’s Continuing Leadership Position in Maritime VSAT Market

8th September 20168th September 2016Phil Page

Northern Sky Research report shows KVH with double the market share of its nearest Ku-band competitor

MIDDLETOWN, RI – September 1, 2016 – The mini-VSAT Broadband^sm service of KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), has once again been cited as the market share leader in maritime VSAT units in service, in a newly published report. “Maritime SATCOM Markets, 4^th Edition,” by Northern Sky Research (NSR), a leading maritime industry analyst firm, reports that KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband customers account for 29% of the vessels using Ku-band services, which is more than double the 14% share of the nearest competitor, as of the end of 2015. KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband customers also account for 21% of the vessels using combined C/Ku-band services, with the nearest competitor at 15% share.

KVH launched mini-VSAT Broadband in 2007, and has steadily grown the service to a dominant position in the maritime VSAT market. The company recently shipped its 6,000^th VSAT system, as reliance on fast and reliable satellite broadband connectivity has spread throughout the maritime industry.

Hill Dickinson Strengthens Hong Kong Office with New Partner Appointment

6th September 2016Elaborate Communications

International law firm Hill Dickinson will be welcoming new partner Caroline Thomas to its Hong Kong practice on 5 September 2016.
Caroline specialises in insurance, shipping and competition law with a focus on dispute resolution and regulation. She is also experienced in general corporate and regulatory matters including contract drafting, joint ventures, AML, sanctions and data protection.
Caroline, who is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales and Hong Kong, has worked in the region for the past eight years. She spent five years at Holman Fenwick Willan and prior to this, four years at Clyde and Co. Read more →

SMM HAMBURG 2016’S FEATURED CHARITY KICKS OFF £15,000 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

6th September 2016Elaborate Communications

Global maritime welfare charity The Mission to Seafarers has launched its £15,000 fundraising campaign after been invited by SMM Hamburg 2016 to appear as featured guest charity at the fair which launched today.

Cargo Care Solutions to showcase project management at SMM

5th September 2016Elaborate Communications

Cargo Care Solutions (CCS), the cargo hold hatch cover and Ro-Ro equipment specialists will showcase the growing demand for project management the company is seeing at this week’s SMM Hamburg.