Zamil Offshore will invest in satellite communications across its fleet of offshore support vessels (OSVs) operating in the Middle East to boost internet connectivity and cater for client-focused applications
Following a successful trial on anchor-handling tug, Zamil 57, Zamil Offshore will have Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress installed and deploy Fleet Connect and Fleet Data services on more than 60 vessels.
Inmarsat’s partner in Saudi Arabia, Petroleum and Energy Trading Services (PETSE) will undertake installations and deployments, and Zamil said the services will enhance communications for its seafarers and facilitate internet-of-things (IoT) on board for fleet monitoring and related operational applications.
Under the new agreement with Inmarsat, Saudi Arabian fleet owner Zamil said it expects to meet vessel performance targets set by its main charterer, state-run energy group Saudi Aramco.
Zamil Offshore technical manager Fredrik Lang said Inmarsat “offered us guidance and support in securing value-added services that will allow us to meet Aramco’s requirements in surveillance and performance monitoring.”
He added “Thanks to the scalability of the IoT solution, we can add more applications and have the opportunity to evaluate different options to establish what best meets our needs within our contract.”
As part of the Saudi Vision 2030 strategic framework that aims to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil and diversify its economy, Aramco said it sees a need for deeper insight and control over the performance of its chartered vessels, including those operated by Zamil.
“Operations of such scale require high-performing satellite connectivity that Inmarsat is offering in this arena.”
Fleet Connect will provide the dedicated bandwidth to support CCTV surveillance capabilities and other value-added services on Zamil vessels, as required by Aramco,” PETSE regional manager Aamir Khan said.
Zamil said it expects that Inmarsat’s Fleet Data product will improve Zamil’s data analytics to increase vessel efficiency and sustainability, as the fleet operator comes under more pressure to reduce emissions.
“New applications for vessel digitalisation are surfacing constantly and we are delighted with how Fleet Xpress allows us to find the best providers without being locked in,” said Mr Lang.
Zamil will also use Videosoft Global’s live-video compression and transmission services to meet Saudi Aramco’s CCTV requirements, along with Fleet Connect dedicated bandwidth channels.
Vessel performance management capabilities will be provided by VPS software Maress and Fleet Data analytics.
These separated channels ensure there is no interference with mission-critical bandwidth onboard.
Inmarsat’s communications through the Global Xpress geostationary satellites will connect offshore vessels to shore to enable applications such as fuel and emissions savings, condition based monitoring and remote surveys.
