A CREW connectivity initiative developed by Inmarsat has been awarded for innovation at the Seafarers Awards 2022 in Singapore, hosted by Mission to Seafarers
Fleet Hotspot is an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot that works independently from ships’ bandwidth. It was designed to give crew access to high-speed internet connection through their own devices.
Inmarsat said the wellbeing of seafarers has been under heightened scrutiny since the onset of the pandemic, and recent amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 have made crew connectivity a requirement for shipowners.
“As evolving crew welfare imperatives emphasise the need for onboard internet access, Fleet Hotspot is experiencing dramatic growth in uptake and usage,” Inmarsat Maritime president Ben Palmer said.
“It has already helped seafarers through one of the most challenging periods in shipping history and continues to set the standard for crew and owner requirements on high-speed connectivity.
“We are honoured that the Mission to Seafarers has recognised Fleet Hotspot’s contribution to crew welfare.”
Inmarsat said Fleet Hotspot also has advantages for shipowners, as a dedicated network means crewmembers can access internet without interfering with mission-critical bandwidth or exposing business operations to cyber threats.
It also offers a competitive advantage in crew recruitment and retention, according to Inmarsat, as seafarers are now favouring employers that offer the highest-quality connectivity services.
Fleet Hotspot is powered by Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress service. Crew can use a dedicated portal to monitor usage and top up balances using personal devices.
Recent enhancements to the portal reportedly allow crew to access accounts from home and purchase data before boarding the vessel.
