SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS

Join delegates from Phoenix Reederei, Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group, Chevron Shipping, Norgas Carriers, Lloyd's MIU, Broadband Maritime, Schlumberger Information Solutions, Telaurus Communications, UniSea, Maritime Communication Services, Thrane & Thrane, Selex Communications, Becker Marine Systems, UK Hydrographic Office, Iora, Corpora Software, Dualog, Vados Systems, Transas and EMS Satcom UK for an exciting one day conference looking at the most innovative new technology for maritime satellite communications, with speakers hand selected by Digital Ship because we think they have something new to tell. The keynote speaker is Frank Ruppert, superintendent responsible for communications with German shipping company Reederei F. Laeisz, which has over 50 vessels.

Chairman: Chris Courard, independent maritime communications consultant

Chris Courard is an independent maritime communications consultant. He was previously a senior executive with Stratos and head of Europe with Iridium.

9.30 Keynote speaker -
Frank Ruppert, superintendent responsible for communications, Reederei F. Laeisz. Achieving cost efficient ship-shore communications

Frank Ruppert is superintendent responsible for communications, Reederei F. Laeisz, a company founded in 1824 which has 50 vessels including 31 container vessels, 7 bulkers, 3 LPG tankers, 3 ro-ros, 6 research vessels and 1 reefer. www.laeisz.de

10.00 Developments at Inmarsat
Piers Cunningham, head of maritime business, Inmarsat - Inmarsat and its portfolio evolution strategy into 2007 - Fleetbroadband

Piers Cunningham is head of maritime business with Inmarsat, which operates the satellite communications system used by most of the world's merchant shipping fleet which also forms the backbone of global GMDSS provision. During 2005/6 Inmarsat will be launching its next generation Inmarsat-4 satellites, which will provide enhanced service provision to both existing and future users of its maritime services. www.inmarsat.com

10.30 Developments with maritime VSAT.
Brent Horwitz, vice president of sales, Maritime Telecommunications Network
- Expected maritime VSAT prices
- What kind of support systems, system availabilty to expect
- Overcoming weather issues

Brent Horwitz is vice president of sales, Maritime Telecommunications Network, one of the world's largest maritime VSAT companies based in Miami, and has fitted VSAT to 250 vessels in the cruise, oil and gas, military, commercial and super yacht market sectors. It was acquired by SeaMobile in May 2006. www.mtnsat.com

11.00 BREAK

SESSION: NEW TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS WITH SATCOM MANAGEMENT

11.30 Maximising user friendliness of the shipboard interface
David Walker, director, Livewire Connections Experiences with the satcom management system used on yachts in the Volvo Ocean Race Is it possible to manage shipboard satcoms with six large buttons instead of a keyboard

David Walker is director of Livewire Connections, a UK satellite communications company which provided the satellite communications management system for the Volvo Ocean Race, which enabled crew to manage a very complex communications system with just 6 large rubber buttons. He was previously maritime market manager with Inmarsat. www.livewire-connections.com

11.55 Improving your management of company ship -shore communications
Frode Stensaa, marketing manager, Virtek
Keeping fleet and individual vessel satcom costs under control Using non-tamperable rack computers rather than PCs to manage satcoms onboard

Frode Stensaa is marketing manager of Virtek, a Norwegian company focussing on satellite communications solutions. It produces the Commbox hardware which shipping companies can install onboard, a pre-programmed computer which all the satcoms can be plugged into. www.virtek.no

12.20 Managing regulatory communications from onboard
Don Black, president, SeaWave
- Remote management of vessel IT systems - filling out regulatory forms onboard - managing multiple communications options.

Don Black is president of SeaWave, an innovative US maritime satellite communications company, which produces a piece of shipboard hardware which all satellite terminals, PCs, phones and other equipment can be plugged into. It has tools to manage shipboard regulatory documentation. www.seawave.com

12.45 Panel discussion - optimum ways to manage satcoms

1.10 Lunch

2.10 Broadband internet by satellite TV.
Victor Barendse, managing director, Wired Ocean.

Victor Barendse is managing director of Wired Ocean, who operate a maritime broadband communications system which enables ships to receive high speed data via a satellite television antenna and to send data via narrowband communications equipment such as Inmarsat, Globalstar or GPRS. He was previously a senior executive with both Inmarsat and ICO. www.wiredocean.com

2.35 Prospects for shipboard phone calls routed via GSM at $1.15 to $2.00 per minute. Stephen Brunskill, business development director, Altobridge.

Stephen Brunskill is business development director with Altobridge, which has developed technology to handle GSM phone calls onboard ships and aeroplanes using Inmarsat, but without needing a satellite connection when phone calls are being made. It is involved in trials and development work with Inmarsat to enable GSM phone calls onboard for $1.15 to $2.00 per minute. www.altobridge.com

3.00 Developments with GSM services on cruise ships - market developments and cost. Jan Erik Norli, MCP

Jan Erik Norli is sales manager of MCP, a company owned by Telenor which is developing services to provide GSM onboard vessels which already have a VSAT satellite communications connection. www.mcpinc.biz

3.25 Close - time to visit exhibition stands or go back to hotel

7.30pm - Inmarsat's SMM party - all speakers and delegates will receive invites to Inmarsat's SMM party in Hamburg. Cocktails 7.30pm, dinner 8.15pm, Literaturhauscafe Hamburg

PRICE

The Conference price is €450 per day. Buy four delegate tickets and the fourth is free.

Early bird discount - 30% reduction for bookings before end of August.