Developing a Maritime Internet of Things Service

• Published in: Sea Technology Vol. 58; no. 6; p. 41
• Main Authors: Balog, Bob, Hopkins, Robert, Croy, John
• Format: Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: Arlington Compass Publications, Inc 01.06.2017
• Subjects: Antennas; Big Data; Computer science; Cost control; Data management; Engineering firms; Expeditions; Exploration; Failure; Internet of Things; Maritime industry; R&D; Repair & maintenance; Research & development; Research vessels; Satellite antennas; Satellites; Shipping industry; Software; Testing; Undercurrents; Vessels; VSAT (network); Norway
• ISSN: 0093-3651

Balog et al discuss maritime industry using proprietary software to monitor test fleet. There's a lot of discussion in the maritime industry about the Internet of Things (IoT), but people often hear an undercurrent of skepticism about what big data can really do for a vessel. For exploration or research vessels, a similar dilemma could interrupt work at a crucial juncture, sacrificing valuable time and dollars, and potentially forcing an expedition to be cancelled. As a provider of maritime VSAT systems, they knew they were uniquely positioned to tackle these hurdles. Early last year, they set out to develop a maritime IoT service using what they had at their fingertips--their own fielded satellite antennas. They established a "fleet" of vessels with active KVH antennas but inactive commercial activity, amenable to being part of a test; the vessels are located all around the world, and testing is ongoing.