3 Digital Connectivity Issues Your Maritime Business Must Prioritise

When the COVID-19 crisis emerged very quickly in early 2020, it highlighted some shortcomings in the marine sector. The disease quickly spread globally and, with little or no notice, ports suddenly closed to all vessels and international travel was halted. This left crews stranded and changeovers impossible. 

Maritime-based businesses that had already onboarded sophisticated digital connectivity systems were able to cope better with the rapidly changing situation as it unfolded. Those vessels with VSAT capability were able to manage a desperate situation better, particularly when it came to crew welfare. 

The global COVID-19 crisis turned the maritime world upside down in just a few weeks. Few had predicted it. To prepare for future unexpected events, keep in mind how the COVID-19 situation has proven that good digital connectivity is crucial in any crisis situation as well as for smooth day-to-day operations. 

Read on to find out more about the digital connectivity issues your business needs to be considering right now, as well as how to solve them.  

1. Adequate online access for crew welfare benefits

Crew members who were expecting to disembark to rest and spend time with loved ones at previously designated times were prevented from doing so in large numbers. Countless seafarers were stranded on board and unable to get home, often for several weeks. This presented two key issues.

• Firstly, they were desperate to communicate with their families. At such a distressing time, it was important for them to know that those they hold dearest were safe. It was vital to maintain a regular connection with people onshore, to support and reassure them. The ability to make frequent video or voice calls was vital to this.
• Secondly, crew needed increased access to online services while stranded. Routine tasks like making online bill payments and banking, sending emails and ordering goods needed to be done on board when they would normally be done onshore.

Additionally, robust communication links are seen as integral to modern maritime life. Therefore, a superior communications system can also be an influencing factor when it comes to crew recruitment and retention. Moving forward, this is a consideration that needs to be addressed by businesses.

The solution

It followed that maritime communications companies received many requests for increased provision in the early and dark days of lockdowns. Many maritime-based companies sought to increase or even double capacity to help their crew keep in touch with home, and to provide them with access to online banking and other essential services.

Connectivity solutions already in place provided capacity for remote upgrades, maintenance and adaptation. This meant that additional provision could be added and accessibility levels changed remotely, without an engineer needing to board the vessel – which was impossible given global movement restrictions. 

Through remote access, companies were able to use solutions such as OneGate to give crew members an immediate and enhanced online connection while also increasing the vessels’ bandwidth speed to cope with a greater volume of digital traffic. These are agile systems that can grow as and when necessary. 

For those vessels too small for VSAT systems, there are now reliable, flexible solutions designed to meet both crew and corporate needs. Thuraya MarineStar E-lite offers voice and email service via a small and compact terminal, enabling a wider spectrum of communication services for all vessel sizes. 

2. Cybersecurity threats to maritime operations

With the increased use of the internet onboard a vessel come greater risks to cyber security. Critical functions must be protected at all times. A vessel can effectively be rendered unseaworthy by inappropriate or deficient cybersecurity systems.  

In early 2021, the International Safety Management (ISM) Code was introduced. To comply, all vessels must ensure they have addressed cyber risk and have implemented risk control processes. 

The solution

There are now an extensive range of cybersecurity solutions developed and optimized for the maritime industry. 

A multi-layer security package can safeguard systems from known viruses and identify potential new threats. These are able to separate critical onboard systems from crew welfare networks with multiple access levels. The software can also be updated remotely so that optimal safety is available at all times. 

3. System backup

It is essential that robust backup systems are in place. All maritime business operations are now very dependent on digital connections. However, connectivity issues are still relatively common, and the average time for service to resume is around six hours.

Even a momentary loss of connection can result in problems, and longer-term disconnections can result in profit losses for organizations of all sizes. Research suggests that 13% of maritime businesses will begin to lose money immediately during an outage, while a further 46% will be affected if communications are still down four hours later. Connection issues can be costly for businesses of all sizes, and losses escalate as the clock ticks. 

The solution

Having a backup system is the only way to ensure continued operations out at sea. Satellite backup systems operate like insurance service. For a reasonable monthly fee, businesses can pay for a link that is only activated if their main system goes down. 

COVID-19 has stressed the importance of a reliable system that can ensure that crew out at sea and those on land can communicate at all times. Robust backup systems are therefore a must. 

Lessons for the future

Digital connectivity is essential for the smooth running of day-to-day operations but also in crisis situations, as we have recently seen. Digital vessel systems are in high demand, as many businesses have discovered just how important a good connection and backup system is at all times. 

If you haven’t already, now is the time to check that your communications system is in good health and is fit for purpose. You must make sure you have a secure and robust communications system that not only works well every day, but is also sufficiently agile that you are able to increase digital capacity as and when needed. 

The COVID-19 crisis erupted very quickly and too few maritime businesses were adequately prepared. It is essential for the welfare of your crew and the future of your business to be as ready as possible if or when something similar happens again. 

AUTHOR BIO

Nabil Ben Soussia is the CEO for Asia, the Middle East, and CIS for IEC Telecom Group, one of the leading international providers of satellite communications services. Renowned for supplying high-quality Satcom solutions for more than 25 years, IEC Telecom delivers efficient end-to-end voice and data services when and where it matters most.