Taiwan Navigation’s Handymax bulk carrier Tai Splendor. Photo: Ahmet Ünlügil via Vessel Finder

Inmarsat has signed a maritime deal with Japan Radio Company (JRC), which has joined Inmarsat’s group of certified application providers (CAP) offering applications via Inmarsat’s dedicated Fleet Connect bandwidth. Inmarsat’s certified application provider marketplace hosts over 40 applications designed for ship owners and operators to reduce fuel emissions, enhance vessel performance, improve navigation, and train crew.

The announcement follows the successful trial of JRC’s Smart Ship Viewer bridge solution onboard Taiwan Navigation’s Handymax bulk carrier Tai Splendor. Taiwan Navigation has now contracted to use Fleet Connect and JRC’s Smart Ship Viewer across its eight newbuildings and eight existing vessels.

“Entering into the Inmarsat CAP program will allow us to use Fleet Connect to provide the dedicated bandwidth that ensures this powerful digital network is available on-demand, to prioritize data traffic and optimize vessel efficiency in a safe and secure way,” Hiroshi Miyashita, manager of the Satcom Business Group at JRC, said in a statement.