Ferry Business - Autumn/Winter 2020

2020 continues to be an extraordinary year for shipping, with the cruise and ferry segments especially affected by Covid-19. As travel restrictions are gradually relaxed on some main ferry routes, and schedules return to something like normality, coaxing passengers back onboard is demanding a many-sided response from owners that goes beyond flexible booking and cancellation policies. The intensified cleaning, face coverings, social distancing, and track and trace techniques used ashore also bring new responsibilities for ferry crews, for example, aboard ships whose business case in part depends on optimised passenger flows. Some of these measures may become permanent protocols for ferry passengers, but other societal responses to coronavirus may also bring lasting legacies. Changing attitudes brought by remote working, for example, have meant that many interactions previously saved for face-to-face meetings are taking place online without issue. For shipping, the Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the critical role connectivity plays not only in working practices but also in the welfare of those at sea. With Covid-19 crew travel restrictions leaving hundreds of thousands of seafarers ‘stranded’ at sea on extended contracts, connectivity to loved ones, colleagues and the world outside is necessary for wellbeing. For ferry owners and operators, going forward, the change in attitude is likely to be reflected in little or even no tolerance for anything other than continuous connectivity, while demand for visual as well as audio connectivity is likely to increase sharply. As many readers of this Cruise & Ferry Revie w Special Report will know well, after more than 40 years serving the maritime market, over 160,000 vessels rely on Inmarsat satellite connectivity for some or all of their communications. Over that time, Inmarsat and its partners have continued to be at the cutting edge of ship-to-shore connectivity and, via Fleet Xpress maritime broadband, is shipping’s number one maritime VSAT service provider. Through investment in the Global Xpress satellite network, Inmarsat has taken the lead with its partners in enabling maritime digitalisation. Its Fleet Data IoT platform, its Certified Application Provider programme, Crew Xpress connectivity and Fleet Secure cyber protection provide an unmatched portfolio of solutions to enhance ship safety, environmental performance and efficiency, crew welfare and passenger services. With its ability to separate passenger internet access from business channels, for example, the ‘Fleet Hotspot’ portal user can also use his/her own device to experience ferry connectivity reality that matches expectations. But the shift in attitudes on connectivity will be felt in ferry business channels too. Before Covid-19, 51 per cent of a survey group of 125 shipowners told Inmarsat that difficulties in getting data off ships in real time represented the biggest obstacle to IoT adoption. Inmarsat’s research also suggested that, on average, ferry owners already intended to spend $2.2 million on internet of things solutions over the next three years. Inmarsat, too, is investing heavily in shipping’s digital future, expanding its current Global Xpress (GX) satellite network from four to 12 by the end of 2023, including two satellites providing Arctic coverage, with GX5 in service before the end of 2020 to offer enhanced ferry route coverage in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. We would therefore like to thank Cruise & Ferry Review for this opportunity to explain the work Inmarsat is doing to support this special and significant market. A turning point INTRODUCTION CONTENTS Introduction A welcome to this special report from Ronald Spithout, the president of Inmarsat Maritime Market Overview News of the latest solutions from Inmarsat Maritime Connectivity Inmarsat’s SVP for yachting and passenger Peter Broadhurst explains why flexibility is crucial for connectivity Data Marco Christoforo Camporeale, head of maritime digital at Inmarsat, says data is key to understanding the health of vessels Medical Services Peter Hult, CEO of healthcare provider Vikand, believes consumer confidence will be boosted by telemedicine supported by reliable satellite broadband Fleet Safety A focus on safety is integral to Inmarsat’s company culture Digitalisation in passenger shipping was compiled by Michele Witthaus and designed by Libby Sidebotham for Cruise & Ferry Review Ronald Spithout President Inmarsat Maritime MARKET OVERV IEW Guests onboard cruise and expedition vessels expect high-speed connectivity to be able to contact friends and relatives and access online entertainment any time, anywhere – and the same applies to ferry passengers. Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress, the world’s largest Maritime VSAT service with over 9,000 installed vessels, is making headway in the passenger ship sector. The expedition segment has been a particularly enthusiastic adopter of the Ka-band/L-band hybrid solution, with glowing testimonials coming from both Oceanwide Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions. Oceanwide’s new flagship Hondius features a dual high-speed Fleet Xpress solution to deliver reliable network availability in isolated polar regions. Meanwhile, the operator’s sailing schooner Rembrandt van Rijn runs the FB500 FleetBroadband service, providing passengers with a 5GB data allowance. Lindblad’s adventure cruise ship National Geographic Venture deploys Fleet Xpress, gaining round-the-clock coverage, stability and reliability in even the most remote of locations. The purpose-built, one-metre VSAT terminal is also the right fit for this compact vessel. The functions and characteristics that make Fleet Xpress so popular with expedition operators are equally applicable to passenger ferries. With the longest ferry routes covering hundreds of kilometres and taking upwards of a day to complete, fast, reliable network availability is crucial. Inmarsat’s high- performance solution will enable ferry passengers to remain connected like never before – and considering the dimensions of a typical ferry, the VSAT terminal’s small footprint is a clear bonus. Passenger experience enriched by Fleet Xpress With a proven track record in the passenger expedition segment, Inmarsat’s maritime broadband service Fleet Xpress is ideally suited to deployment on passenger ships Much of the market expansion in maritime satellite communications is targeted at meeting changing customer needs in the passenger shipping sector. As guests become more accustomed to ‘always-on’ connectivity options, providers are racing to raise their game by enhancing the customer experience in innovative ways. This means exceeding passenger expectations for price, sustainability, wi-fi, food, onboard shopping, accommodation, booking, check-in and other aspects of the journey. Likewise, there is a growing need to ensure seamlessness across the entire customer journey, from booking the crossing to the return home and repeat sales. Another trend that is yielding encouraging opportunities is the extension of existing revenue channels. As the large ferry operators move from selling pure capacity and towards value-added services, there are good financial arguments for pursuing a joined-up experience, both on and off the ship. This is seeing booking services extend their reach across previously separate areas such as hotels, car hire and attractions; or, for example, adding services similar to those of a travel agency. Demand for maritime broadband connectivity is poised for rapid growth in the coming years, as operators look for ways to provide different, targeted levels of service to operators, passengers and crew. There is a move towards offering free basic connectivity for messaging, supplemented by premium connectivity options for streaming. Prioritised digital services for ship operations are also on the rise, with operators demanding guaranteed bandwidth availability for priority systems such as vessel systems and digital transactions. Advancing the digital journey To maintain and grow their business, maritime satellite providers are looking to exploit continuing demand for connectivity across all market segments, offering increasingly flexible and robust solutions to their customers Inmarsat Fleet Xpress provides connectivity for Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Venture 3 3