• 2022 April 29 11:22

    Fourth Wagenborg W2W vessel connected by Castor Marine

    Castor Marine has outfitted Wagenborg Offshore’s fourth Walk-to-Work (W2W) vessel ‘Koenigsborg’ with a seamless connectivity installation. The VSAT internet and Tampnet 4G connectivity solution provide the crew with continuous communications channels when working on offshore assets, real-time reporting options to onshore teams and, of course, leisure use in downtime. Castor Marine was also contracted for long-term maintenance, including providing and managing the (Wi-Fi) network.

    Conversion: from PSV to W2W
    Wagenborg Offshore, a subsidiary of Royal Wagenborg, was operating a fleet of three Walk-to-Work vessels when it decided last year to add a fourth ship. The company chose to convert a PSV at Royal Niestern Sander shipyard, the Netherlands, in just 6 months’ time. The vessel would need to be able to perform multiple offshore support roles and include extra accommodation for housing 40 people.

    Now that Wagenborg has taken it into service in April, the Koenigsborg is deployed in many ways. Firstly, it is a W2W accommodation vessel for platform maintenance tasks. Secondly, it is a Standby & Support Vessel (SSV). Last, it is certified to serve as an Emergency Response & Rescue Vessel (ERRV), expanding its operations with rescue work and emergency towing or patrol duties.

    In addition to the 40-person accommodation module, the ship is equipped with an infirmary, reception rooms, a decontamination room, a recovery room, and a motion-compensated gangway. A daughter craft and a fast rescue boat ensure that rescue activities can also be carried out in adverse weather.

    Efficient offshore connectivity
    For Oil, Gas and Offshore Wind companies to carry out their work safely and cost-efficiently, the crew and additional maintenance or rescue staff need seamless internet connectivity, 24/7, for smooth operations and exchanging information with clients, suppliers, and HQ - especially in emergency situations. Of course, internet access is also about quality of life for crew members, i.e., staying connected families and friends.

    Satellite service provider Castor Marine updated Koenigborg’s communications systems to match the demands required by the remoteness of offshore operations and extreme weather conditions. A connectivity system that is dependable and always-on is essential for those monitoring or repairing components on offshore platforms and for reporting back to shore teams. The company says it is proud to have been entrusted again by Wagenborg to handle this project.

    Technical details
    Castor Marine chose Intellian as the preferred satellite communication technology onboard. Reliability is key and the solution consists of a VSAT internet connectivity system and an Iridium Certus L-band back-up system. This includes a dual Intellian v100NX setup, accompanied with an Intellian C700 Iridium Certus terminal and an Intellian t100W satellite TV system. The v100NX antennas are equipped with a high-power 25W Ku-band BUC to achieve higher upload speeds. Note that these represent the latest in antenna technology.

    The dual-antenna configuration overcomes potential blockage issues, while the integrated AptusNX control software provides users with an intuitive web interface for antenna diagnosis. The Tampet 4G service (4G LTE network on the North Sea) is used for low-latency applications when the Koenigsborg is within the coverage of LTE network.

    Castor Marine is the very first in the world to install the high performance Ponyting Omni-902 LTE/5G Antennas. The antennas have a high performance and are designed for all-weather conditions in harsh conditions on sea. As an LTE/5G modem is a dual Fortinet FortiExtender 511 used to provide high availability and advanced threat protection.

    Castor Marine supports and manages Wagenborg Offshore’s SD-WAN routers centrally, which is ideal for monitoring, performing changes and software upgrades. Besides the SD-WAN Castor Marine also manages and support the SD-LAN on the vessels based on Fortinet equipment.

    In plain words: the offshore internet system, both hardware and software, ensure that the crew always have the necessary bandwidth for all requirements.


2024 March 28

18:05 Jan De Nul, ENGIE and Equans launch a pilot project centred around the use of Vanadium Redox Flow batteries
17:35 Latvian port equipment manufacturer Bleste introduces new bulk handling ‘bucket’
17:05 Investors upgrade Navios Maritime Partners
16:25 DEME reports 22% increase in the orderbook and a record-high turnover of 3.3 billion euros in 2023
16:14 MABUX: Bunker Outlook, Week 13, 2024
15:41 AD Ports Group announced the opening of Saadiyat Marina & Ferry Terminal and Rabdan Marina
15:11 Sydney invests $11.5 million in two new operational vessels designed by Incat Crowther
14:55 China’s Jinzhao wins Peru $405m port construction contract
14:13 APM Terminals Moín handled six million TEU
13:48 ClassNK grants Innovation Endorsements for Products & Solutions to two innovative initiatives by MOL
13:37 Konecranes launches its flagship Konecranes X-series industrial crane
12:53 United European Car Carriers UECC spearheads collaboration with industry leaders to advance CNSL as a sustainable marine fuel
12:26 Ocean Network Express announces Transpacific service
11:48 Yang Ming announces 2025 Trans-Pacific service network
11:24 Fincantieri signs contract for the supply of two PPAs to Indonesia
10:42 Maersk transported more than 660,000 TEU using clean fuel in 2023
10:23 Documentation delays push industry costs to $3bn
09:48 PONANT and FARWIND Energy partner to develop green hydrogen refueling solutions

2024 March 27

18:22 Bureau Veritas awards world’s first prototype certification for SolarDuck’s floating offshore solar solution
17:58 The recently converted Allseas's shallow water pipelay barge starts preparations for its first commercial project
17:38 The Port of Rotterdam calls on the European Commission and Parliament to focus on actively promoting green energy
15:23 SEFE to become sole shareholder of WIGA
14:53 Ocean Installer secures yet another SLM contract with Equinor
14:23 Cadeler signs offshore wind turbine installation contract for the vessel Wind Scylla
13:42 Carnival Cruise Line orders 5th Excel-class cruise ship
13:11 Maersk and MSC overcharging cargo owners for EU ETS, says T&E
12:52 The Port Authority of Valencia launches the ZAL project in the Port of Valencia
12:11 Clarkson Port Services and Peak Group collaborate to deliver Port Agency services across the North Sea
11:42 Wan Hai Lines holds ship naming ceremony for new vessels
11:24 Consolidated shipping lines EBIT loss was $1.44 billion in Q4 2023: Sea-Intelligence
10:49 Seaspan Shipyards receives long-term contracts for the pre-construction work of the the Canadian Coast Guard's first six multi-mission vessels
10:14 Woodside completes sale of 10% scarborough interest

2024 March 26

18:02 COSCO Shipping Lines introduces new Americas service
17:30 Davie awarded first contract for design of icebreaker fleet under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy
17:04 Sanctions complicate Arctic LNG ship sales, Hanwha Ocean says - Bloomberg
16:57 Terntank places an order for 1+1 additional wind/ methanol-ready hybrid tanker
16:28 BW LNG completes acquisition of two TFDE vessels from Stena Bulk
15:50 Hanwha Ocean develops VR-based special vehicle simulator
15:20 TotalEnergies and SINOPEC join forces to produce sustainable jet fuel at a SINOPEC's refinery
14:52 Wärtsilä Lifecycle Agreement to guarantee operational reliability of new wind farm installation vessel
14:23 Hudong-Zhonghua launches two LNG carriers
13:51 Cargo ship hits Baltimore’s Key Bridge
13:12 Final sanctioned tanker with Russian Sokol oil to reach China port - Reuters
12:42 Adani Ports acquires 95% of Odisha's Gopalpur Port from SP Group for $162 million
12:21 IHI and Yara Clean Ammonia agree to jointly assess clean ammonia business collaboration
11:41 Yara Clean Ammonia and Azane granted safety permit to build world's first low emission ammonia bunkering terminal
11:16 Wartsila and Royal Caribbean Group celebrate 15 years of collaboration on digital transformation
10:46 A global carbon tax on shipping is coming, says ABS Chairman and CEO
10:21 Eni, Fincantieri and RINA establish partnership for maritime transport decarbonization

2024 March 25

18:07 The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore continues to investigate reports of oil spills off the port of Tuas
17:31 “K” Line, NIPPON HAKUYO and OPT Gate sign an agreement for a new fire detection system for car carriers
17:07 Greek merchant fleet recorded slight decline in January 2024
16:47 Hanwha Ocean Plans to develop green technology and naval ships
16:25 U-Ming Singapore and ITOCHU sign milestone MoU for the joint development of ammonia dual-fuel and de-carbonized vessels
15:34 Svitzer targets methanol-fuelled MAN 175DF-M engine for tug application
15:04 Wallenius Wilhelmsen signs contracts for four 9,300 CEU vessels with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard
14:40 Taiwan International Port to upgrade terminal facility at Kaohsiung
13:59 Сruise ship Carnival Freedom catches fire near Bahamas
12:59 Hanwha Ocean wins 2.4 tln-won order for 8 LNG ships
11:16 Inland Ports meet in Paris to talk about the innovation potential of inland ports
10:50 IMO agrees possible outline for maritime “net-zero framework”
10:24 Hapag-Lloyd to continue to avoid the Red Sea route
09:58 QatarEnergy enters time charter agreements with Nakilat for the operation of 25 LNG vessels

2024 March 24

16:18 Inchgreen Marine Park upgraded as part of £11m investment
15:14 A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Solent Rail Terminal Rail was held at the Port of Southampton
14:08 ESNA and Strategic Marine join forces to offer Surface Effect Ship (“SES”) Crew Transfer Vessels (“CTV”) to the market
13:07 First LNG powered vessel calls at HIP
12:49 Inter-array cable installation completed at Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm
11:32 Equinor ASA posts net income at USD 11.9 billion in 2023
09:25 Edda Wind announces the sale of Edda Passat