According to Euroconsult, the number of VSATs in the fishing segment alone is expected to increase by 400% by 2024 and bandwidth consumption per vessel is expected to double.

The small island of Donsö is renowned as a historic fishing village, where even today the harbor boathouses honor its rich maritime heritage with fishing vessel nameplates. It provides the perfect setting for Sweden’s largest all-inclusive trade show – Donsö Shipping Meet, which will take place on June 14-15 this year. Ahead of this event, IEC Telecom Norway, the leading operators of satellite communication services in the region, share information on the latest trends in marine communications.

“Maritime transport is important for a myriad of economic activities in the Nordic region – with 90% of Sweden’s international commercial traffic carried out on water”, actions Alf Stian Mauritz, CAO and President – ​​Northern and Central Europe, IEC Telecom Group. “Due to their location, heavy processing industries in Sweden and Finland are highly dependent on shipping. Furthermore, Norway has the ninth largest merchant fleet in the world, while Denmark operates the fifth largest container fleet in terms of gross tonnage. At the same time, today Donsö has seen increased activity in the tanker shipping sector, especially for bulk cargo and chemicals, and is expanding its port to accommodate larger vessels,” he added. he.

This merchant sector represents the largest market for connectivity needs and generated approximately $300 million in maritime satellite service revenues in 2021. With an 18% global ship share, Scandinavian countries and the European Union are investing heavily in marine satellite facilities and emphasize crew well-being. According to Euroconsult, the number of VSATs in the fishing segment alone is expected to increase by 400% by 2024 and bandwidth consumption per vessel is expected to double.

New regulations for crew welfare and safety as well as high-performance broadband services, even in the harshest weather conditions, are encouraging shipowners to easily adopt onboard connectivity. “Tracking and monitoring services in particular are expected to experience a significant growth rate in the near future,” said Mr Mauritz. With its portfolio of IoT solutions, IEC Telecom provides real-time visibility into maritime operations.

This year, IEC Telecom will showcase the state-of-the-art LT-4100 satellite communication system for the first time at the Donsö Shipping Meet. Suitable for racing, sailing, pleasure and work vessels, the LT-4100 has been particularly designed for the harsh environment at sea. Thanks to an innovative heating element, it can operate in a wide temperature range, perfect for the Nordic region and its intense maritime traffic. The LT-4100 is the first Iridium Certus 100 terminal, offering voice and data connectivity with 100% global coverage.

IEC Telecom has been part of the Nordic satellite communications market for over a decade, with a regional flagship office in Oslo, Norway.