tpgroup’s patent pending autonomous navigation system, Northstar, has completed its sea trials programme, demonstrating that it can safely navigate unmanned vessels in real-time and in a real-life environment - without human intervention.

Thales has selected Centrik to manage the operational development of its Maritime Autonomous Systems (MAS) programme at its UK Maritime Autonomy Centre, Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth.

The International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) has chosen Iridium and Thales as its official communications partners to provide satcom connectivity for several high-profile yachting events through 2021 to support skippers competing in the IMOCA Globe Series World Championship.

Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo and Thales, has signed two contracts worth EUR 5 million with the Grimaldi Group for the upgrade of the Neapolitan Shipping Group’s satellite communications capacity.

Thales Canada reports that it is investing more than $315,000 in a new research project with Virtual Marine of Newfoundland, to improve Virtual Marine’s embedded ship simulation systems.

The AST Group (AST) has announced a partnership with Thales covering the supply of Thales VesseLINK terminals for use with Iridium’s new Certus L-band satcom service.

Inmarsat has announced that it has awarded the contract for the construction of an additional Global Xpress (GX) communications satellite to Thales Alenia Space.

Satellite communications company Thales is taking its first steps into the commercial maritime satcom market with the launch of a new system called VesseLINK, aiming to provide commercial vessels with global broadband connectivity via the Iridium network.