The 317,000dwt VLCC tanker, delivered to owner Samco Delta in April 2007, is registered in the Port of Marseille and managed by V.Ships of France. Inmarsat distribution partner Vizada (formerly France Telecom Mobile Satellite Services) will provide the communications service for the vessel.

Launched in 2002, the F77 is the flagship offering in the Inmarsat Fleet range, providing voice, 128kbps ISDN and IP data connectivity to vessels anywhere in the world, while also incorporating Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) features.

Piers Cunningham, head of maritime business at Inmarsat, commented that reaching this milestone establishes a strong foundation for the company ahead of the launch of its next generation FleetBroadband service later in 2007.