[Satellite TODAY 09-28-11] Marlink and Thrane & Thrane have entered a partnership agreement to support and enhance Thrane & Thrane’s new Sailor 900 VSAT antenna, which was released earlier this month, the companies announced Sept. 27.

   Marlink said it would add the new Ku-band antenna to its VSAT portfolio and offer it to its extensive global customer network. Marlink personnel supported Thrane & Thrane’s in-house engineers during Sailor 900’s development and testing phase. The antenna was designed to meet requirements of shipping and offshore companies with significant operational, installation and maintenance benefits.

   “By including the new Sailor 900 VSAT antenna in our product offerings we continue to bring flexibility to our customers, offering choices of hardware and products that suit their specific needs. Ship owners worldwide have very different communications needs. Adding the new Sailor 900 VSAT antenna into our VSAT portfolio further strengthens Marlink’s position as the most complete maritime communications provider in the market,” Marlink CEO Tore Morten Olsen said in a statement.