Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) opens office in Doha

25th September 2019Phil Page

Leading Classification Society the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), has opened an office in Doha at the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).

Commemorating the office opening, a function was held at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel which was attended by a large number of senior delegates from Indian Embassy, Qatar Financial Centre, Ministry of Transport and Communications and various other ministries, port authorities, terminals, shipowners, ship managers, media, insurance and logistic companies. H.E. the Ambassador of India to Qatar Mr. P Kumaran graced the occasion by his presence.

The Middle East is one of IRClass’ most important strategic markets outside of India and the new branch office in Doha will help the class society extend its services to the marine, ports and terminals, industrial, oil and gas and offshore companies based in Qatar.

With 52 offices worldwide and recognised by 44 major flag administrations, including the state of Qatar, the Indian Register of Shipping is renowned for its quality of service and professional approach.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Ambassador of India Mr. P Kumaran, congratulated IRClass on setting up of an office in Doha and lauded the initiatives to serve the industry specially when India – Qatar trade was at an all-time high.

National Marine Electronics Association Recognizes Three KVH Marine Systems with 2019 Product of Excellence Awards

24th September 2019Phil Page

KVH’s TracPhone V3-HTS, TracPhone LTE-1, and TracVision TV3 win awards at the annual NMEA conference

MIDDLETOWN, RI – September 24, 2019 – KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), is pleased to announce that the top marine electronics professionals in the country have honored three of KVH’s marine antenna systems for product excellence. KVH’s TracPhone^® V3-HTS received NMEA’s 2019 Product of Excellence Award in the satellite communications antenna category; KVH’s TracPhone LTE-1 received the 2019 Product of Excellence Award in the WiFi/Cellular Device category; and KVH’s TracVision^® TV3 received the 2019 Product of Excellence Award in the satellite TV antenna category.

This is the 22^nd consecutive year that KVH has achieved the NMEA distinction for its TracVision systems and the 17^th time that KVH’s TracPhone satcom systems have been recognized. KVH’s TracPhone LTE-1 is the inaugural Product of Excellence winner in NMEA’s new category, WiFi/Cellular Device.

The NMEA Product of Excellence Awards are presented annually to recognize design, performance, and reliability in marine electronics products. The winners are selected by a vote of the members of NMEA, an industry group made up of more than 600 companies, including manufacturers, dealers, and boat builders.

“Receiving three NMEA product awards this year is a thrill for KVH, and we are extremely honored,” says Jim George, KVH’s senior director of global leisure sales. “Knowing that NMEA’s marine electronics professionals continue to give our products their vote of confidence means the world to us.”
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KVH Announces Iridium Certus as Companion to KVH VSAT Systems for Optimal Vessel Communications

20th September 201920th September 2019Phil Page

Next-generation L-band solution provides pole-to-pole coverage

MIDDLETOWN, RI – September 19, 2019 – KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), announced today that the Iridium Certus^® service is now available from KVH as a companion for KVH’s TracPhone^® mini-VSAT Broadband^SM systems. Iridium Certus is a next-generation L-band solution providing pole-to-pole global coverage and featuring small-form-factor, cost-effective antenna terminals. KVH’s VSAT systems include the TracPhone HTS-series, which provide data speeds as fast as 20/3 Mbps (down/up) to meet the connectivity demands of today’s commercial maritime vessels and global-voyaging superyachts.

This companion solution, featuring Iridium’s highest L-band data speeds of 352/176 Kbps (down/up) and the 38 cm (15 inch) diameter Cobham Sailor 4300 antenna, is designed to seamlessly integrate with all KVH TracPhone mini-VSAT Broadband antenna systems. Optional least-cost routing enables onboard data to switch from KVH mini-VSAT Broadband service to Iridium Certus and back again as necessary. An unlimited use data plan is available, whether the vessel is using KVH mini-VSAT Broadband or Iridium Certus.

The Iridium Certus companion solution is available for existing and new TracPhone mini-VSAT Broadband system users either via standard purchase or as part of an AgilePlans^® deployment. KVH’s AgilePlans program provides commercial fleets with an all-inclusive, no-commitment connectivity solution that includes a TracPhone V7-HTS or TracPhone V11-HTS antenna, high-speed data, daily TV and print news, training, free shipping, free installation at select ports, and zero maintenance costs for one monthly fee. AgilePlans has become KVH’s most successful commercial maritime VSAT solution, accounting for more than 70% of the company’s commercial maritime VSAT shipments in the first half of 2019.

KVH is a mobile tech innovator that provides connectivity solutions for commercial maritime, leisure marine, and land mobile applications on vessels and vehicles, including the award-winning TracPhone and TracVision^®product lines, the global mini-VSAT Broadband network, and AgilePlans Connectivity as a Service (CaaS). The company’s KVH Media Group provides news, sports, and entertainment content with such brands as NEWSlink™ and SPORTSlink™.

Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) makes its mark in London International Shipping Week

19th September 2019Phil Page

MUMBAI, 19 September 2019 – Leading classification society, the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), held two very successful events during London International Shipping Week (LISW).

On the first day, a Roundtable panel made up of some of the industry’s most respected senior level decision makers, discussed key industry issues including the IMO’s GHG goals and the industry’s expectations on the future role of class.

The UK’s Rt. Hon. Nusrat Ghani MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Maritime, Department for Transport, made opening remarks on the importance of classification societies in upholding standards and regulations in the maritime industry.

The second event was a seminar on the “Future Role of Class – Partnering with the industry”, which saw participation from a cross section of maritime stakeholders.

The changing role of class was also discussed in depth with the general consensus being that classification societies should partner with the industry towards compliance of international regulations.

The week before London International Shipping Week Mr Arun Sharma, the Executive Chairman of the Indian Register of Shipping, was introduced as the new Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) to a group of specially invited maritime journalists.

In his address Mr. Sharma stressed the need for IACS to work with the industry especially in the use of data to make more informed decisions, the validation of technologies to ensure that any regulation can be applied globally and consistently and the Association’s unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical support, compliance verification and research and development.

The IRClass team also met with a delegation from the Republic of Cyprus led by Ms. Natasa Pilides, Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, and held very cordial discussions on the way forward to extend mutual co-operation.

Videotel Wins Best Crew Wellbeing Programme at Safety at Sea Awards

13th September 201913th September 2019Phil Page

Leading maritime training provider Videotel has won the Best Crew Wellbeing Programme at the Safety at Sea Awards held during London International Shipping Week.

The category was for the best standout wellbeing initiative which, in the judges’ opinion, has helped protect crew mental health and wellbeing.

Launched during the 5^th Annual International Shipowning & Shipmanagement Summit in London last year, the programme was produced in association with the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and comprises a video, facilitator notes, and information booklets from ISWAN on mental health issues at sea.

Due to the critical importance of the topic it was decided that the package would be made available free of charge and it can be downloaded by accessing https://landing.videotel.com/seafarerwellbeing

“We are thrilled that this programme has been recognized by an independent panel of judges as an important contribution to help seafarers who may be struggling when at sea, away from family and friends. Mental health issues can effect anyone, but Seafarers face unique working and living conditions that pose additional challenges and require further consideration.” said Raal Harris, MD of Videotel.

“I would like to thank my colleagues who made a very insightful and instructive programme with the help of the team at ISWAN and the other organisations that gave their time and energy in support of this worthwhile production.”