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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and KDDI Corporation announced that from August 2023 onward, the two companies will conduct trial use of satellite broadband ‘Starlink Business’ onboard a MOL Group-operated cruise ship, ferries, and a coastal RORO vessel aimed at enhancing the communication environment aboard ships.
The trial will evaluate the system from both technical and economic standpoints, and MOL Group plans to introduce the system from autumn 2023 onwards, depending on the situation and schedule of each ship.
At sea, signals from far-off base stations are weak, making it difficult to use ordinary high-speed cell phone communications. Conventionally, satellite communication services using geostationary orbiting satellites have been utilized, but the increasing volume of information and data presents challenges for real-time ship-to-shore communication.
For ocean shipping companies that operate ships at sea, improving the quality of ship safety management is an important initiative to ensure safe navigation. Improving the onboard communication environment is critical to more effectively sharing systems and data related to ship operations with land-based staff in real time.
MOL has positioned the Port of Kobe as an important base for its domestic business for many years, and its group companies currently operate the port, logistics, tugboat, and real estate businesses, each of which has deep roots in the local community. In April of last year, the Kobe Shosen Mitsui Building celebrated the centennial anniversary of its completion. With the KICT expansion project, the MOL Group will further solidify its business base and offer stress-free services to customers.
Starlink enables a communication environment with a maximum download speed of 220 Mbps during the voyage. The environment will be comparable to land-based internet service, enabling easy access to information necessary for navigation.
High-speed communication will also enable passengers on cruise ships and ferries to share videos and other information taken during their trip in real time.
MOL Group has already conducted trials on ocean-going ships and confirmed an improvement in communication speed of up to 50 times compared to existing communication facilities.