Successful upgrade aboard Fugro Revelation demonstrates a practical approach to modernising maritime safety communications

 Marlink has completed a world-first upgrade of an existing Intellian C700 Iridium Certus terminal to a fully commissioned Iridium GMDSS system, aboard offshore supply ship Fugro Revelation. The project shows ships can modernise their safety communications without the cost, complexity or disruption of a new installation. The upgrade strengthens communications resilience aboard Fugro Revelation at a time when geopolitical uncertainty and GNSS signal interference are placing greater demands on maritime safety systems.

Delivered in partnership with Intellian Technologies and Iridium Communications, the project demonstrates a practical route to modernise safety communications by adding new capabilities to existing systems. Access to Iridium GMDSS services is provided through the vessel’s existing Intellian C700 platform, including Distress Alert, Safety Voice and Maritime Safety Information (MSI) via Iridium SafetyCast®, alongside commercial voice and data connectivity.

Marlink brought together the satellite service, terminal technology and maritime installation expertise required to deliver and commission the upgraded system for Fugro. The project reflects Marlink’s wider approach to helping ship owners and operators strengthen the resilience, integration and long-term manageability of their safety communications.

Crucially, MED & MER Type Approval documents specify that existing C700 terminals can be upgraded to SOLAS approved GMDSS Systems. For the upgrade, the vessel’s existing Intellian C700 above-deck and below-deck units were retained. A Safety Display Terminal, handset and approved installation components were added to the bridge, while the standard SIM card was replaced with an Iridium GMDSS SIM card. By retaining the existing antenna and associated cabling, the upgrade avoided more extensive physical modifications to the vessel, reducing installation time, complexity and disruption to operations.

Tore Morten Olsen, President, Maritime, Marlink, said: “Safety communications must be reliable, resilient and integrated with the vessel’s wider communications environment, and this project shows how proven technology and specialist expertise can deliver that. By building on existing investment, the upgrade both strengthens onboard safety communications and simplifies the vessel’s communications environment, while supporting longer-term operational needs.”

Oigen Blankert, OTS Business Partner Lead, Fugro, said: “We chose to upgrade an installed Intellian C700 Certus terminal by adding a Safety Display Terminal, extending its capabilities to include Iridium GMDSS. The installation process was straightforward and completed without complications.

“Based on this positive experience, we see clear cost and integration benefits in upgrading the existing C700 Certus terminals across our fleet. The potential to combine GMDSS, LRIT, SSAS, commercial data and voice through a single platform could simplify our onboard communications and safety environment while offering a more cost-effective alternative to operating and maintaining several separate systems.”

Wouter Deknopper, Vice President and General Manager, Iridium Maritime, said: “This world-first C700 GMDSS upgrade demonstrates how shipowners can build on their existing Iridium Certus infrastructure while adding global GMDSS capabilities. We are proud to work with Marlink, Intellian and Fugro to demonstrate this practical modernisation path for the maritime industry.”

Jon Harrison, Vice President, Head of Sales EMEA, Intellian Technologies, said: “This project alongside Marlink, Iridium, and Fugro demonstrates how seamless upgrading an existing C700 to a GMDSS System can be. Offering the only complete range of Iridium GMDSS Systems (C700, C200M & C100M), and as the only upgradeable Iridium Certus terminals on the market, our C700 and C200M allow operators to upgrade existing hardware far faster with minimal cabling. Supported by Intellian’s global network of service and distribution partners, we give ship owners complete confidence in rapid delivery and enhanced safety worldwide.”

Iridium GMDSS provides global maritime distress and safety communications over Iridium’s Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) network, including polar coverage, and is recognised by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for GMDSS.

In addition to its safety functions, the upgraded C700 supports three simultaneous non-GMDSS voice lines and commercial data connectivity. This provides non-GMDSS voice lines and non-GMDSS data that can be used for Out Of Band Management (OOBM) or as a resilient back up to other comms systems onboard. The system can also support Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), subject to activation, configuration and testing.

The successful upgrade provides Fugro with a simpler and more integrated approach to maritime safety communications, while demonstrating how Marlink can help other operators modernise existing onboard systems without unnecessary replacement, cost or disruption.