Vroon extends 140-plus vessel contract for KVH mini-VSAT broadband solution

Netherlands-based Vroon has extended its contract for KVH’s maritime satellite communications solution, choosing the mini-VSAT Broadband network for connectivity services onboard more than 140 Vroon vessels, KVH Industries said in a press release.

“We are extremely pleased that Vroon has chosen to extend its contract with KVH, as it demonstrates the importance they place on affordable and reliable broadband connectivity for their vessels, as well as their high regard for improving crew welfare,” says David Tropp Hag, KVH’s director of sales for the EMEA region. “The contract extension also includes support for all TracPhone systems through eight years of operation, a testament to KVH’s outstanding design and rugged construction which, in this challenging business environment, is something that Vroon continues to value highly.”

The first installations of KVH’s 60 cm diameter TracPhone V7 systems onboard Vroon vessels took place in early 2011, after Vroon conducted a stringent selection process involving 22 different satellite communications providers. Today, more than 140 Vroon vessels employ the KVH mini-VSAT Broadband system onboard. In addition, Vroon was one of the first subscribers to KVH’s IP-MobileCast entertainment packages, providing crew members onboard tankers and livestock carriers daily updates of news and sports content, as well as new selections of popular movies and TV episodes.

The Vroon vessels covered by the contract are also equipped with the KVH CommBox Ship/Shore Network Manager. CommBox provides a suite of network management tools including web compression and acceleration, least-cost routing among multiple communications services, prepaid Internet access, and remote access for Vroon’s shore-based IT personnel.

“Our mini-VSAT Broadband service provides the most complete end-to-end solution for the maritime market’s rapidly expanding communications needs,” says Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH’s CEO. “We design and manufacture the hardware, provide the global connectivity and network management solution, offer a flexible variety of customer support options, and license and deliver a wide variety of onboard content, all in an affordable way. Vroon clearly sees the value of this comprehensive solution, and we look forward to continuing to work with them as one of our key customers.”
 
About Vroon
Vroon, an international leader in seagoing transportation services and engineering and support solutions, is based in the Netherlands and operates a global fleet of more than 200 vessels. Vroon is active in business segments including livestock carriers; offshore-support vessels; offshore installation, maintenance, and engineering services; dry-cargo vessels; container vessels; product/chemical tankers; asphalt/bitumen tankers; car carriers; and vessel-management services.
 
About KVH Industries, Inc.
KVH Industries, Inc., is a leading provider of in-motion satellite TV and communications systems, having designed, manufactured, and sold more than 200,000 mobile satellite antennas for applications on vessels, vehicles, and aircraft. KVH is also a leading news, music, and entertainment content provider to many industries including maritime, retail, and leisure. VideotelTM, a KVH company, is a market-leading provider of training films, computer-based training, and eLearning. KVH is based in Middletown, RI, with research, development, and manufacturing operations in Middletown, RI, and Tinley Park, IL. The company’s global presence includes offices in Belgium, Brazil, Cyprus, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.