SES, Astrium Extend VSAT Coverage and Service for Maritime Customers

SES and Astrium Services announced today they have signed capacity deals to deliver connectivity to vessels around Latin America as well as in the North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Astrium Services will renew capacity on the SES-4 satellite to provide its customers with managed services for maritime business communications, tracking equipment and engine performance as well as ensuring crew at sea to stay connected. Located at 338 degrees East, SES-4 is among several SES satellites providing capacity to Astrium Services enabling the company to customize services to satisfy specific needs of the maritime industry.

“The comprehensive coverage of the new SES-4 satellite extending from the Arabian Sea to the South Pacific Ocean is ideal for our customers in this region. Combined with SES’ satellite expertise and our dedicated sales and service team, this coverage is key in developing reliable VSAT services for our global customers in these strategic maritime routes,” said Tore Morten Olsen, Head of Maritime within the Business Communications division of Astrium Services.

Under the new agreement Astrium Services is able to meet several specific communication needs, including reliable VSAT coverage for oil & gas activities offshore of Brazil and East Africa. Additionally, the wider footprint of SES-4 extends coverage over the Gulf of Aden to support vital connectivity to customers in piracy risk zones for instance off the coast of Somalia. The coverage also supports fisheries, transportation and recreational maritime customers in Europe.

“On-the-move global communications needs of the maritime industry have to be met constantly even when vessels and crews are at remote regions of the world. The series of new contracts with Astrium Services reinforces our long-standing partnership and is a testament to our leading position in delivering mobility satellite services,” said Norbert Hölzle, Senior Vice President of Europe, Commercial for SES.

[mappress]

SES, November 22, 2012