Inmarsat NexusWave ushers in a new era in vessel connectivity, emphasizing stability, security, and global coverage. The need for reliable internet at sea is no longer just about crew entertainment, but is a critical part of operational function.
As part of the continuous improvement of crew welfare, Inmarsat Maritime is proceeding with the installation of NexusWave on selected vessels of Northern Marine Management Ltd (NMM) managed by Stena Bulk and Proman Stena Bulk.
Building upon the existing on-board connectivity provisions, NMM recognizes the growing need of the crew and the importance of having access to high-speed internet. Only in this way will they manage to attract new people to the seafaring profession.
The implementation of NexusWave reflects NMM’s commitment to providing an even better experience for its crews.
Inmarsat’s NexusWave is designed to provide exceptional speeds, with global coverage reaching 99.9%, a secure-by-design infrastructure, and unlimited data to ensure seamless and uninterrupted crew communication wherever a vessel is located.
This service will enable seafarers to enjoy enhanced internet access while on board, now supporting essential needs such as contact with their family and friends, managing their finances, browsing social media, streaming and downloading online entertainment, attending distance learning courses, etc.
This supports NMM’s commitment to promoting the welfare, personal development, and satisfaction of its vessel crews, confirming its reputation as a shipping company where everyone would want to work.
John Cook, Director of Vessel Management at Northern Marine Group, stated: “High-quality on-board connectivity has long been part of our approach to supporting crew welfare, recruitment, and retention. As needs evolve, so must our solutions. The implementation of Inmarsat NexusWave by Northern Marine Management on selected vessels is a significant step forward for the Stena Bulk and Proman Stena Bulk vessels under our management.
“We continue to explore and implement a range of connectivity solutions across our entire fleet, with NexusWave being a core part of the strategy for selected vessels.”
Robert Mathieson, Sales Director of Inmarsat Maritime, stated: “By integrating NexusWave into their connectivity strategy, Northern Marine Management and Stena Bulk and Proman Stena Bulk have confirmed their reputation as technologically progressive industry leaders, who are committed to advancing the happiness and development of their seafarers. This move will have a positive impact not only on crew welfare but also, as a direct consequence, on the reputation and operational performance of both companies.”
But what is Inmarsat NexusWave?
The Inmarsat NexusWave service is an integrated satellite connectivity solution for commercial vessels, which combines multiple networks into a single communication system.
Instead of relying on a single internet source, it “ties” together high-capacity satellite networks, terrestrial connections, and a secure L-band layer for stability, offering greater reliability on a global scale.
The service’s philosophy is to provide ships with stable and continuous internet, even in difficult areas, enabling operational continuity, the use of cloud tools, and better internet access for the crew.
NexusWave also integrates network security services, traffic separation between ship operations and crew usage, and central management by the company on land. In this way, the ship operates like a “floating office,” with support for digital applications, real-time monitoring, data transmission to analytics platforms, and continuous communication with the company’s headquarters.
What is the difference between Inmarsat NexusWave and Starlink?
Compared to Starlink, NexusWave emphasizes stability, availability, and corporate network management, while Starlink offers impressive speeds and low latency, but with greater variability in coverage and without the same specialized integration into maritime information systems.
Starlink is an excellent choice for the crew’s daily use and streaming, but NexusWave excels as a “mission critical” solution for ships that require guaranteed connectivity, strict cybersecurity, and stable operation of navigation, monitoring, and operational communication systems.
We see that gradually, more and more new, reliable systems are coming that will provide cheap and quality internet access for seafarers. Internet in today’s age is a necessity. As exaggerated as it may sound, I believe it is now as important as food, hot water, heating, air-conditioning, etc.
Let’s hope for a rapid improvement in internet access. Besides communication and entertainment, internet access also helps the crew in their work.
