Sponsored By

Inmarsat offering 50% discount on crew voice calls until end June

In response the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for crew to stay in touch with their families Inmarsat is giving a 50% discount on crew voice calls to the end of June.

Marcus Hand, Editor

April 3, 2020

1 Min Read
Kalyakan - stock.adobe.com

The three-month discount on crew voice calling will be available for up to 40,000 ships for retail customers using FleetBroadband ChatCard voice services and to wholesale partners offering FleetBroadband voice calls under the Crew Calling ‘SQT’ brand.

In addition calls made to SeafarerHelp service provided by welfare organisation ISWAN (International Seafarers’ Welfare Assistance Network) will be free of charge during the period.

Inmarsat is also working with crew healthcare specialist Vikand and software platform provider FrontM, to provide a free COVID-19 video call service with a trained health professional. 

“We have been providing free additional call time for ChatCard voice service users since February but we have also been talking and listening to shipowners and managers and long-standing partners such as ISWAN, Sailors’ Society, Seafarers UK, Mission to Seafarers and Apostleship of the Sea. It has become clear that, above all other forms of contact, being able to talk to family, friends and colleagues is critical for the health and well-being of seafarers during these difficult times,” said Ronald Spithout, president, Inmarsat Maritime.

“Today we are formalising the 50% discount for seafarer voice calls for three months. FleetBroadband retail customers are eligible immediately and even if they currently don’t use the ChatCard service, they can sign up today to provide the offer direct to their crews and we will make the process as easy as possible. We are also rolling this through to wholesale partners via our Crew Calling (SQT) service and strongly recommend they pass on the full saving to crew.”

Related:Inmarsat becomes first member of decarbonising shipping initiative in Asia

Read more about:

covid-19Satcoms

About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

Get the latest maritime news, analysis and more delivered to your inbox
Join 12,000+ members of the maritime community

You May Also Like