Shipping company Hafnia has announced that it is on track to complete the roll-out of the Starlink satellite connectivity system from SpaceX across its entire fleet by the end of 2023.
After completing successful pilots between 2022 and 2023, Starlink is now up and running on 35 Hafnia vessels, with a full roll out across all Hafnia vessels currently being deployed.
“We are very excited to be able to provide state-of-the-art connectivity to our seafaring team. The high-speed connectivity will help foster deeper connections with loved ones far away, alongside the many other technical advantages that evolve the digitalization of our vessel operations,” said Juzer Vasi, Head of Fleet Solutions & Cyber Security at Hafnia.
The company says that it is simultaneously rolling out another new initiative called Project Hologram to all its ships using the satcom service, which aims to provide better connections for crews with their families and loved ones by allowing them to meet remotely in a group setting.
This new set-up was first piloted on the Hafnia Atlantic in August 2023, using Microsoft Teams as a virtual hosting platform for a virtual dinner with ship staff and their families, before the trial was extended to a further 8 vessels.
“The crew onboard and our families spent a wonderful time during these get-togethers. It is not a given that we can talk to so many of our family members simultaneously,” said Captain Samir Wagh of the BW Cheetah.
“This is a very good platform and initiative to connect and become closer with not just our own families, but also the loved ones of our onboard family. We all look forward to the official launch of this across all our vessels.”
