[Satellite Today 03-13-09] Inmarsat earnings grew 12.5 percent in 2008 to $431.6 million, according to the company’s preliminary financial results released March 12.
    Revenues increased by about 14 percent over 2007 sales of $634.7 million, and Inmarsat CEO Andrew Sukawaty said the company is optimistic it would see solid revenue growth in 2009 and was on track to meet annual revenue growth targets of 6 percent to 8 percent to end 2010.
    The company has yet to feel any impact from the economic slowdown on its shipping customers. “There has clearly been a slowdown in dry bulk shipping, but … at sea, ships use us, whether they are half full or half empty,” said Sukawaty.
    Inmarsat also said it is a month away from exercising an option to buy Stratos, one of its distributors. Harbinger Capital Partners is planning to make an offer for Inmarsat this summer in an effort to combine it with SkyTerra, but  Inmarsat said it is confident it can continue operating as an independent company.