Wallenius Wilhelmsen has awarded a contract to Swedish company Soya IT Marine Solutions to upgrade the communication systems for 41 of its ocean-going vessels.
The deal includes the provision of new satellite communication equipment, data management, and system support. The upgrade project is scheduled for completion by mid-2026, with installations managed entirely remotely.
The set-up is based on the use of four connectivity systems designed to provide stable links across all regions. Hardware is shipped to the vessels at various ports and installed by the crew to prevent operational downtime.
The contract was awarded last year following two successful proof-of-concept (POC) tests in October 2024. The higher bandwidth capabilities of the new system are intended to improve Wi-Fi for the crew while supporting real-time data transfer between ship and shore for better use of sensor data to optimise operations.
“For us, it is crucial that our vessels are digitally ready – not only to meet today’s requirements, but to stay ahead,” said Adriana Briseno, Fleet Connectivity Engineer, Marine Operations Management at Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
“With the new systems, we get a robust, redundant connection that improves the communication between ship and shore. This strengthens our operational capabilities and improves the working environment for the crew.”
