Korea Line Corp., the shipping arm of SM Group, announced on Jan. 16 that it has successfully completed the installation and activation of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service across its entire fleet of 38 vessels, including bulk carriers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers, becoming the first company in South Korea’s shipping industry to do so.
The company signed a service agreement in April last year with KT SAT, one of SpaceX’s official business-to-business resellers. Korea Line said the move will enable qualitative improvements in smart-vessel operations by leveraging a high-performance, ultra-fast satellite communications network.
Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellite service operates more than 8,000 satellites deployed at an altitude of roughly 550 kilometers. Because the satellites are relatively closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, the system offers much faster communication speeds.
Korea Line expects the service to allow faster collection and transmission of vessel-operation data and smoother real-time communication between ships at sea and onshore offices, improving both efficiency and execution of onboard operations. The company also said it plans to strengthen its environmental, social and governance (ESG) management by improving fuel efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and enhancing navigational safety.
The introduction of Starlink is also expected to improve crew welfare during long voyages. With the system now operational, seafarers will have easier access to continuous communication with family members, as well as remote medical services and online education.
Source: Business Korea
