A super-yacht. Photo: Elcome.

[Via Satellite 05-03-2016] Thuraya has entered an agreement with Dubai-based marine solutions provider Elcome International to offer technical support to the operator’s service partners throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Egypt. The new contract enables faster response times to requests from service partners needing maintenance work, fault rectifications, and the installation of Thuraya maritime equipment.

At agreed rates, Thuraya’s service partners can call on Elcome engineers to avoid extensive downtime in the event of equipment problems. Thuraya reports its maritime business is growing substantially. Last year the company expanded its maritime product portfolio with Atlas IP, a terminal enabling Internet access and connectivity for managers and crew. According to Thuraya, the agreement with Elcome follows an increase in regional customers signing up for satellite services.

“Our expanding maritime portfolio requires support whenever and wherever a vessel needs it. Our maintenance partner will store spare Thuraya equipment for vessels in locations that are difficult for our partners to reach. In the long-run, this new agreement will save our partners time and money,” said Keith Murray, product manager for maritime at Thuraya.