Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), one of Japan’s largest shipping companies, has announced plans to ramp up installations of Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress (FX) VSAT service across the remainder of its owned and managed fleet, having begun initial deployments of the system on the majority of its car carriers in 2016, shortly after FX was launched.

Speedcast reports that it has signed a new contract to expand its existing relationship with Carnival Corporation for the provision of communications and value-added services across Carnival’s global fleet of cruise ships.

Intellian has introduced a new addition to its ‘high power’ output range of maritime satellite antennas, with the launch of the GX60HP 60cm-class Global Xpress terminal.

NSSLGlobal has completed the acquisition of the assets and activities of Station 711, a business unit controlled by SES subsidiary MX1 focussed on communication systems for the maritime market.

Cobham SATCOM has introduced its new SAILOR 100 GX HP (High Power) Fleet Xpress, an updated version of its existing SAILOR 100 GX antenna system adapted for Inmarsat’s newly launched high data rate plans packages on Fleet Xpress.

Intellian has launched its first sub-metre Ku to Ka-band convertible maritime VSAT antenna, with the new 85cm Intellian v85NX able to switch between bands by changing the RF Assembly and Feed while maintaining the same dual-band reflector and radome.

Inmarsat has rebuffed a takeover offer from US-based satellite operator EchoStar, valuing the London-based business at £3.2 billion.

Navarino has announced a new partnership with Intellian for the supply of antenna equipment for the upcoming Navarino Ku-band VSAT service, expected to go live in Q3 of this year following Navarino’s recent announcement of a connectivity cooperation agreement with Intelsat.

Inmarsat and Japanese telecommunications company KDDI have signed a partner agreement to distribute Fleet Xpress to the Japanese maritime market, covering deep sea vessels, commercial fishing, oil and gas, and cruise lines.

Intellian has introduced a new version of its 85cm Ku- to Ka-band convertible maritime VSAT antenna, with the v85NX unit offering a smaller, lighter form factor with improved RF performance.