Marlink Signs Up Customers

Marlink, a unit of Norway’s Telenor [Nasdaq: TELN] Satellite Services, last week announced a number of deals to provide maritime satellite communications services to customers.

Gas and oil company Royal Dutch/Shell Group extended its business agreement with Marlink for global maritime communications via satellite. The agreement for satellite airtime and traffic accounting services, which commenced in April 2001, has been extended into 2004.

Marlink provides the Shell fleet of 48 oceangoing vessels with data and voice communications via satellite, permitting the ships to communicate with the head office in London, offshore facilities, and port locations. Marlink also provides Inmarsat Mini-M service aboard the vessels.

Marlink also signed a deal with Greek firm Springfield Shipping to provide maritime satellite communications services for its 11 large crude oil carriers and 6 dry cargo vessels. Under the terms of the open-ended agreement, which began in May, Marlink will provide the company’s fleet with Mini-M satellite communications, via the Inmarsat system, for both ship’s business and crew calling.

Finally, Marlink signed an agreement with Norway’s BASS to distribute the BASS suite of software solutions to the maritime industry. Marlink will combine the BASS portfolio of maritime software applications with Inmarsat and Iridium airtime solutions, hardware options, traffic accounting services, e-mail services, and maritime VSAT services.