VIKAND Partner Profile: Inmarsat

A new and regular feature of VIKAND Pulse, we are proud to highlight our partners and collaborators. Together, our united efforts benefit seafarers through proactive healthcare, innovative technologies, and a global community of providers who promulgate a culture of care.

Critical to our work is technology. We are proud to begin our VIKAND Partner Profiles with Inmarsat given our Certified Inmarsat Application Provider status.

Here, we share a conversation with Marco Cristoforo Camporeale, Head of Inmarsat’s Maritime Digital.

VIKAND—Please describe your company and industry reach.

Marco—Inmarsat has been defining connectivity at sea over our world-leading satellite networks. We are passionate innovators, forming partnerships with disruptors, accelerators, and start-ups to challenge the status quo and push the frontiers of possibility.

By opening a gateway into our industry-leading Fleet Xpress service, we are encouraging innovators from outside the sector to make a difference—fueling cutting edge technology and applications for vessel performance, voyage optimization and crew welfare.

We are trusted by mariners, military, airlines, and NGOs alike to keep them connected when it counts and solving our customers’ toughest connectivity challenges.

VIKAND: How long has your company been in business and in the maritime industry?

Marco—Inmarsat was set up in 1979 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to develop a satellite communications network for protecting lives at sea and we are deeply proud of our safety heritage.

Built on the foundations of safety, our solutions are trusted by hundreds of thousands of mariners every single day to provide a critical lifeline if disaster strikes.

Today we have the world’s most advanced and resilient mobile connectivity infrastructure to ensure that our satellite services are save lives and also provide a connectivity lifeline in the most remote and challenging locations.

VIKAND: Name a “highlight” or two of a contribution to the maritime industry of which you are proud.

Marco—We are supporting maritime the industry with our IoT platform and dedicated satellite bandwidth channels, enabling leading providers and innovative start-ups to host their application on vessels digitally which disrupts the industry, resulting in improved operations and significant savings for Ship Owners and Managers, and ultimately, improving life onboard for seafarers.

VIKAND: What do you believe is the most significant advancement in the maritime in recent years and, more specifically, in your organization’s area of expertise?

Marco—In the face of unprecedented disruption in the maritime industry, digital investment and adoption rates have soared and demands for data consumption have tripled. Inmarsat continues to look to the future through the lens of innovation. To meet current challenges, Inmarsat’s network has evolved to support demand with the launch of new satellites and continued investment into new and evolving networks, including ORCHESTRA—the communications network of the future combining L-Band, GX, 5G, and LEO seamlessly—and, in harmony, to deliver the highest capacity dedicated to mobility of any network, planned or existing.  Innovation includes ELERA, the latest evolution of the L-band network and a catalyst for innovation—enabling next generation tech, from autonomous vessels, to IoT, ocean monitoring and supporting greener energy.

VIKAND: Who do you believe has made a significant impact in your part of the industry? Describe who, what, and how.

Marco—Inmarsat, with its portfolio of Digital solutions, is at the forefront accelerating the transition towards a safer and more sustainable industry. Ship managers and owners can count on our technologies and an ecosystem of Certified Application Providers to solve the most challenging cases. Some Inmarsat partners are bringing transformational change in the quality of life of seafarers; some are changing certain aspects of ship management and operations by introducing remote surveys and remote piloting; others are improving overall ship operations by advising on new ways to reduce global GHG emissions. The collective effort of all Inmarsat partners is delivering a significant impact to the maritime industry.

VIKAND: What is the biggest challenge the global maritime industry faces? Tell us about your strategy to overcome it.

Marco—One of the key challenges facing the global maritime industry is meeting IMO’s strategic targets to remove carbon. To meet longer-term targets, the industry will need to re-engineer its fuel supply chain and shift to carbon-free power sources. However, to meet IMO’s shorter-term targets, Inmarsat’s digital solutions are enabling an acceleration of the transition towards a safer and more sustainable industry through effective monitoring and reduction in fuel consumption. With a cyber-secure IoT infrastructure and dedicated bandwidth channels, Application Providers can aggregate data for full transparency and centralised access both onboard and shore-side for detailed trend reporting and analysis across multiple sensors and data points.

VIKAND: Where are you headquartered and what is special about it (i.e., country, city)? Please also comment on satellite locations if you wish.

Marco—Our HQ is in London while we have a global presence with other office locations and satellite access stations. Maritime industries have shaped London’s past, are an engine for growth, are a vibrant, dynamic element of the economy and will shape the future.

VIKAND: Tell us about your team.

Marco—The Inmarsat Maritime Digital team is passionate about making a difference and leading the industry towards a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

VIKAND: What does your company do to promote team and client well-being?

Marco—As a global company, Inmarsat has strong shared values and culture which empowers us to face change together; our focused leadership and feedback-gathering process enables us to deliver the best experience for our clients and celebrate shared success.