In a pioneering move, the Connexion by Boeing broadband service, already offered by several airlines, is being launched for maritime use in 50 ships operated by the London-based Teekay Shipping Corporation.
Teekay has a fleet of 140 ships and transports 10 percent of the world's oil, the company said.
"Maritime operators will be able to benefit from the same high-speed connectivity service that is revolutionizing the way travelers and airlines communicate in-flight at 30,000 feet," Teekay and the Boeing Company said Wednesday.
The maritime satellite service will provide multiple simultaneous users with data rates of up to 5 mbps on downlinks and 256 kbps on uplinks. The agreement between Teekay and Boeing authorizes Teekay to add 40 more ships at a later date.
The firms began testing the service last summer. "The trial gave us a glimpse of the future where our vessels will become a virtual extension of our offices ashore," said Graham Westgarth, a Teekay executive, in a statement. "The service will also complement our existing communications infrastructure, enabling us to explore innovative business opportunities and solutions."
The companies, which did not disclose financial terms of the agreement, said they expect the service will be launched in the fourth quarter.
