Turkish shipmanager Active Shipping is to implement VSAT services across its fleet of oil tankers and bulk carriers, following a deal with Marlink and its regional partner Ozsay Satellite Communications.

SeafarerHelp, a free confidential helpline for seafarers around the world run by the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), can now be contacted using mobile messaging app WhatsApp, the organisation has announced.

GTMaritime has launched GTLitespeedMAX, a regional VSAT package providing 25GB for commercial use along with unlimited night-time data usage for crew between 9pm and 5am UTC.

German maritime GSM data provider bobz GmbH has announced the launch of its new shipznet ultra packages, offering users a choice between Global, Midsize or Europe packages from 20 GB per month.

North P&I Club in the UK is encouraging its shipowner members to consider the importance of internet access on their ships to ensure they continue to attract, recruit and retain high quality crews, as part of a campaign by North to help its members get the ‘right crew’ that is highlighted in the club’s Signals newsletter.

NSSLGlobal is expanding its range of value added services with the launch of an onboard video-based entertainment system called CrewVision.

The eMaritime Group, headed up by ECDIS Ltd, has launched a free social network app for seafarers called eMaritime Exchange, for Apple and Android devices.

Global Eagle Entertainment has launched a new Airtime Portal for cruise ships, a platform to enable cruise ship operators to deliver Wi-Fi, instant messaging, social media, live TV, movies, games and news directly to passengers’ mobile devices anywhere on the ship.

UK-based maritime GSM data company Buzz Marine has announced the launch of its new CrewCode service, a voucher based system similar to those used in hotels whereby users are given, or purchase, a code for a fixed data allowance to access onboard Wi-Fi networks.

Global Eagle Entertainment reports that it has expanded its portfolio of live programming delivered by satellite to cruise ships with the addition of new channels for crew members from India and the Philippines.