Ericsson to supply entire Maersk fleet with real-time mobile technology
Mobile technology provider Ericsson will provide Denmark’s Maersk Line with real-time mobile and satellite communication services for the shipping line’s entire fleet of approximately 500 vessels, according to an announcement made by the companies at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Over the next two years, Maersk Line will outfit 400 of its vessels with Ericsson antennas and GSM base stations, with upgrades to be made to the remaining vessels soon after, the two companies said in a statement.
Ericsson said it would provide seven years of global managed services support, including network monitoring and onboard maintenance services at several ports around the world.
“The result will be automated and simplified processes, higher productivity, real-time information allowing quicker, more informed decision making and problem solving," said Hans Vestberg, president and CEO of Ericsson.
Maersk Line's containerships have, to date, been equipped with satellite connectivity primarily aimed at supporting communication for important shipboard functions, according to the announcement.
Ericsson says its integrated maritime mobile and very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite solution “will bring extended connectivity to the entire fleet, allowing for new ways of communicating and contributing to efficiency, reliability and cost reduction.”
"We're quite pleased to be the first fleet to be connected with mobile communication technology. We believe it would provide us good opportunities to run our fleet more efficiently,” said Søren Toft, vice president, Maersk Line Operations.
Michael, president of Maersk Line in North America said in a video interview at the CES show that: "There are multiple operational efficiencies that can result from this implementation. We expect to have real-time access to information about vessel operation, bunker fuel consumption and electric conditions. We might even be able to monitor and prevent any difficulties in systems on board before they happen.”
"But the single biggest benefit will come from our ability to proactively manage bunker consumption through real-time data. In this business, with the size of these vessels, the difference of even a few hours of real-time information could make the difference between cost and operational savings," he said.
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