OSM to install TM Master on their entire fleet

26th February 202026th February 2020Phil Page

OSM Maritime Group have extended their partnership with Tero Marine as their preferred provider of fleet management software. The Norwegian tech company now prepares to install its TM Master suite on the remaining OSM fleet globally.

OSM Maritime Group provides global full-service premium management solutions to the offshore and maritime industry and has more than 500 vessels in their ship management portfolio. TM Master is now the product of choice for handling maintenance and purchasing activities across their fleet.

– It is with great enthusiasm I can announce that Tero Marine have signed a frame agreement with OSM. We are proud that such an innovative company, with its uncompromising focus on operational excellence for their customers, has recognized and selected TM Master as the best ship management software for their needs in 2020 and beyond. We look forward to adding OSM to our extensive portfolio of leading ship managers, says Rune Lyngaas, CEO of Tero Marine.

The frame agreement with Tero Marine means that all vessels with various planned maintenance systems across the OSM fleet would be standardized on TM Master. TM Master is currently installed on close to 70 vessels across OSM’s Norway and Singapore managed fleets. With OSM’s vision of being a frontrunner in the ship management segment, Tero Marine expect to see substantial growth in the coming years as the preferred partner for fleet management systems.

– OSM and Tero Marine partnership goes back 6 years already, and the fact that OSM have chosen to extend their business with us demonstrates our ability to help our customers fulfil their digitalization journey in an increasingly complex landscape, says Mr. Lyngaas.

OSM has embedded digital services in its business models to the benefit and success of their customers. The cooperation between OSM and Tero Marine also extends the use of TM Master into OSM’s value adding services such as Catering Management.

– OSM Maritime Group has a strong focus on contributing to our customers’ success by delivering consistent and high-quality services. To do this, full insight and transparency by sharing the same level of information between vessels, us and our customers are key to enabling data-driven decision making. Consequently, we have been reviewing our core business processes to align them with the opportunities we see from extending our partnership with Tero Marine, says Bjoern Sprotte, CEO of OSM.

KVH Expands Successful AgilePlans Service with Regional Solution for Smaller Commercial Vessels

26th February 2020Phil Page

The all-inclusive, no-commitment VSAT service with the ultra-compact TracPhone V3-HTS is well-suited for vessels upgrading from legacy L-band

MIDDLETOWN, RI – Feb. 26, 2020 – KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), announced today that AgilePlans^® Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) is now available as a regional offering using KVH’s ultra-compact, 37 cm TracPhone^® V3-HTS antenna. With data speeds as fast as 5 Mbps down/2 Mbps up, the TracPhone V3-HTS is designed to enable fishing vessels, workboats, and smaller commercial vessels to leverage fast and reliable Internet connectivity. The service includes new rate plans with no overage charges.

The AgilePlans Regional service complements the AgilePlans Global service, which is paired with the 60 cm TracPhone V7-HTS (with data speeds as high as 10/3 Mbps down/up) and the 1 meter TracPhone V11-HTS (with data speeds as high as 20/3 Mbps down/up), making AgilePlans available throughout the maritime market for commercial vessels of all sizes.

“There are more than 350,000 fishing vessels that are over 12 meters in length. The vast majority of these vessels have no ability to connect once out of sight of land. We intend to change that with this new offering,” says Mark Woodhead, KVH’s executive vice president for mobile connectivity. “As the pace of maritime digitalization accelerates, we wanted to ensure that smaller commercial vessels could take advantage of the all-inclusive, no-commitment AgilePlans offering, which has proven so successful for commercial fleets worldwide.”

AgilePlans is a CaaS subscription-based model offering a comprehensive solution, including high-speed connectivity with unlimited email and texting via KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband^SM HTS network, TracPhone hardware, free installation in as many as 4,000 ports and locations, cybersecurity protection, KVH OneCare^TM maintenance, and no commitment all for one monthly fee. First introduced in 2017 for global connectivity with KVH’s larger antennas, AgilePlans has been the driving force behind KVH’s recent growth in VSAT unit deployments; during the third quarter of 2019, AgilePlans represented 70% of the company’s commercial VSAT shipments. Recent rollouts of AgilePlans have spanned the globe, including fleets in South Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia.

AgilePlans Regional service with the TracPhone V3-HTS is available with a range of monthly subscriptions with data speeds as fast as 5 Mbps down/2 Mbps up. The four regions for coverage are North American/Caribbean, South America, Western Europe/Africa, and Asia Pacific. To help manage data usage, KVH’s mini-VSAT Manager offers data controls, vessel tracking, and usage alerts.

Indian Register of Shipping MD highlights the evolving role of class societies amid technology advancements and heightened regulation

26th February 202026th February 2020Phil Page

International ship classification society IRClass’ Managing Director Mr Suresh Sinha asserted that classification societies are looking beyond their traditional roles as regulators and exploring ways in which they can leverage their technical expertise to stay relevant to the industries they serve.

A marine engineer by training, Mr Sinha made the remarks at the recently concluded Qatar Maritime & Logistics Summit held in Doha, Qatar. The inaugural summit gathered eminent industry leaders and decision makers from the Middle East and beyond to discuss issues concerning the sustainable development of the maritime and logistics sectors.

In his speech, titled “Shipping in an age of safety 2020-2030. The role of classification in the modern maritime industry”, Mr Sinha noted that the the maritime sector is rapidly changing due to technological advancements and tightening regulations on environmental protection and safety, and it is incumbent upon classification societies to support these changes.

“Class societies are increasingly seen not just as regulators but also as enablers who assist the industry in implementing regulation through their technical expertise”, said Mr Sinha, who argued that “class societies have an important responsibility to ensure that new equipment and technology are tested, approved, validated and implemented in an effective and timely manner to comply with the regulatory changes”.

KVH to Support Mariners’ Wellbeing with Free VoIP Calls to ISWAN’s SeafarerHelp Hotline

20th February 202020th February 2020Phil Page

Mariners on any vessel with KVH VSAT service can place free VoIP calls to ISWAN’s confidential 24-hour SeafarerHelp phone line

KVH is pleased to announce that seafarers on vessels with KVH VSAT service may place free VoIP calls to ISWAN’s SeafarerHelp hotline while at sea. SeafarerHelp is an important initiative by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) to support mental wellbeing for seafarers around the world. The hotline is confidential, multilingual, and available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

“We are thrilled that KVH is supporting this initiative so that seafarers can get the help they need when they need it,” says Roger Harris, executive director of ISWAN. “In our experience, we have seen that seafarer issues range from the simple to the complex and the most pressing need is having someone empathetic to confide in, which can be challenging in the onboard environment. This hotline is dedicated to ensuring seafarers speak to someone in time, and with KVH’s involvement they can do so without having to worry about technical issues or data costs.”

Recently, the maritime industry has begun to raise awareness around the importance of seafarers’ mental wellbeing and to support initiatives to encourage discussion. Experts note that the same everyday stresses and emotions that a seafarer experiences on land are present at sea but may be exacerbated by the challenge of being on a ship 24/7 for extended stays. Talking to someone about their issues is an important first step.

Free VoIP calls to SeafarerHelp are available immediately from KVH VSAT vessels; seafarers simply use a VoIP phone on the vessel and call the helpline: +44 (0)20 7323 2737.

Sven-Eric Brooks Joins KVH to Direct Business Development for KVH Watch Maritime IoT

12th February 2020Phil Page

Maritime industry expert has background in smart and connected vessels, maritime telematics, and strategic business solutions

Global maritime connectivity provider KVH is pleased to announce that Sven-Eric Brooks has joined the company as senior director of business development for KVH Watch^TM, the company’s recently announced maritime IoT solution. Maritime IoT is an emerging area of vital interest to ship owners, ship managers, and maritime equipment manufacturers who are seeking ways to improve vessel operations through real-time monitoring and data analysis. A subscription-based solution, KVH Watch IoT Connectivity as a Service leverages the company’s end-to-end maritime VSAT connectivity services, advanced satellite communications antennas, and high throughput satellite (HTS) network.

“This is an exciting time to join KVH as we apply our connectivity solutions to meet urgent needs throughout the maritime industry,” says Mr. Brooks. “Connectivity is the foundation to all digital applications and the key to enabling more efficient operations at sea. The KVH Watch IoT connectivity service is a true industry game changer that delivers affordable and reliable IoT connectivity anywhere.”

Mr. Brooks has nearly 20 years of experience in the maritime industry with expertise in integrated bridge systems, smart and connected vessels, ship operations, and fleet management solutions. Prior to joining KVH, Mr. Brooks worked for Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine for 13 years in a variety of roles culminating as business development director responsible for Sperry Marine’s key accounts. In prior roles with Sperry Marine, Mr. Brooks was a sales manager, global logistics manager, and regional director for Asia. He has held positions in London, Rotterdam, and Hong Kong.