Maersk has agreed a deal with Nokia for the supply of private wireless network technology to support the shipping company’s OneWireless IoT connectivity platform, with 450 vessels set to be equipped with the systems.
The deployment will include Nokia’s Shikra small cell equipment and its MantaRay NM network management system, aiming to deliver real-time cargo tracking, supply chain visibility, and improved operational efficiency across the fleet. The system will be installed on both Maersk-owned and chartered vessels.
The new network will replace existing onboard infrastructure and is designed to support thousands of IoT devices, providing a unified mobile network architecture capable of secure interoperability between private and public networks.
The set-up will support asset tracking and monitoring across land, port, and sea, including data from temperature and humidity sensors used for refrigerated cargo.
“With our next-generation connectivity platform, we will be able to offer our customers notable benefits, including real-time cargo tracking, enhanced supply chain visibility, and improved operational efficiency,” says Kjeld Dittmann, Head of Vessel & Cargo Connectivity at Maersk.
The network will use Nokia’s compact baseband and Remote Radio Head (RRH) units, with custom-designed antennas and a vessel-based small core, connected via satellite backhaul. The MantaRay NM system, located in Maersk’s operations centre, will provide centralised oversight of the mobile network.
The rollout is currently in progress and is expected to be completed in Q1 2026.
