Teekay Offshore, one of the world's largest marine energy transportation, storage & production companies, has renewed and expanded its agreements with award winning maritime connectivity provider Marlink to continue utilising high quality global VSAT services for a further four years. The contract extension ensures reliable global broadband connectivity for data sharing and smart vessel operations, improved facilities for crew welfare and a flexible platform to generate efficiencies from the maritime Internet of Things (IoT). As part of the contract renewal Marlink will provide its Sealink VSAT service across Teekay Offshore’s entire fleet of shuttle tankers and FSOs as well as welcoming six new E-Shuttle tankers under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries. All shuttle tankers will benefit from a permanent bandwidth boost as part of the Marlink contract renewal, supporting Teekay Offshore’s digital strategy designed to support environmental and operational sustainability. Teekay Offshore’s new E-Shuttle tankers are designed to reduce emissions and bunkering requirements by 50% through an advanced, integrated LNG, VOC and electric powertrain. Marlink will deploy a fully managed service for these state-of-the-art ships, ensuring the highest possible availability of high-bandwidth connectivity for continuous global access to IoT and smart technologies, in support of Teekay’s class-leading environmental credentials. The new contract also facilitates more control of bandwidth in use, improving the user experience for operational applications and crew use. The latter is further boosted by the addition of XChange Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solution with on board Wi-Fi. Marlink will manage crew account and settings and the on-board Wi-Fi, as well as cyber security systems such as content filters and firewalls. “Marlink has demonstrated relentless commitment to quality of service, helping us to optimise our own service to clients globally and increase our value proposition across the board,” said Regis Rougier, VP Operations, Teekay Offshore. “As our first choice for the critical shuttle tanker connectivity that augments safety and effectiveness at sea, Marlink continues to be an essential aspect of our commitment to bring energy to the world in a sustainable way.” “Teekay Offshore is a forward thinking, safety and environment first global marine services company with specific and demanding communication requirements for its shuttle tankers,” said Tore Morten Olsen, President Maritime, Marlink. “Having taken responsibility for the fleet in 2011, we are delighted that Teekay Offshore continues to recognise Marlink’s ability to ensure the quality and availability needed to support both complex offshore loading operations and daily running. We look forward to working together under the renewed contract.”