Nordic Aurora
NEW YORK – Aug. 29, 2012 – (Marine NewsWire) Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE: NAT), through the vessel’s technical manager, Hellespont Ship Management GmbH & Co. KG, has installed the Maritime Broadband Inc. C-Bird™ solution aboard the MT “Nordic Aurora” on Aug. 6, 2012. The installation also initiates a 36-month contract for C-Band global satellite services to be provided by Maritime Broadband to the vessel. C-Bird™ was delivered as a kit to the vessel without use of a shore crane. The antenna was then assembled and installed onboard while at anchorage in Fos Sur Mer, France. Preparation and fabrication of the pedestal took 48 hours plus five hours by the crew of the “Nordic Aurora” and two Maritime Broadband techs to assemble the C-bird™ system.
Dalibor Jalsovec, Electrical Superintendent, Hellespont Ship Management, noted that C-Bird™ was selected because it is affordable and practical. “We were able to install this system ourselves without going to dry-dock or use of floating cranes, as the equipment is not heavy and it is modular. The economics and logistics of C-Bird™ just make sense doing the installation when the vessel is in service, for us as technical managers of a tanker fleet.”
Mr. Frithjof Bettum, Senior Vice President – Operations, Nordic American Tankers Limited – stated, “The choice to deploy C-Bird™ was natural for us. We have always-on Internet within our existing budget. Coverage is global – which we expect will provide operating benefits, support the crew and eliminate some surprises in our communication bills. The ease and low cost of installation is a great feature.”
The MT “Nordic Aurora” is a 274-meter Suezmax crude carrier, built in 1999. The vessel trades worldwide.
During the initial voyage from Fos Sur Mer to Malta, Captain Ramirez noticed immediate benefits from the system, commenting, “The C-Bird™ installation was so simple – the crew was able to accomplish assembling the antenna themselves. Now, they are enjoying being part of the world and getting in touch easily with their families. The quality of the phone calls is so clear; we forget we are out to sea!”
Nordic American Tankers Limited (www.nat.bm) is an international tanker company that owns 20 modern double-hull Suezmax tankers which are all actively trading globally on the spot market. The Company is domiciled in Bermuda and managed out of its offices in Norway.
Hellespont Ship Management GmbH & Co. KG is a member of a shipping and maritime services group providing transportation solutions and equipment to shipping and industrial companies since 1946. Hellespont Ship Management (www.hellespont.com) manages a fleet of 22 vessels. The Company is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany.
Maritime Broadband Inc. (www.maritimebroadband.com) is an engineering company providing innovative VSAT communication systems for maritime use. The Company’s flagship product, the C-Bird™ antenna, represents years of research and development in partnership with leading ship owners. The Company is headquartered in New York.
For further information, please contact Mary Ellen Kramer, President, Maritime Broadband Inc. at +1 (347) 404 6041 or mkramer@maritimebroadband.com.
