On November 30, Globecomm Europe in the Netherlands hosted a meeting of Broadband@Sea, a group of 14 ship-owners and 14 suppliers dedicated to pursuing excellence in maritime communications. 

Presentations and discussions at the meeting covered the technical and operational challenges of next-generation autonomous shipping, as well as non-satellite technologies for ship-to-shore communications.  Cybersecurity was high on the agenda as well, as ship-owners come to grips with the rising threats to data-centric operations.  Attendees received a briefing on Globecomm’s maritime business from Patrick Viser, and the company gave a guided tour of the Biddinghuizen teleport from control room to the satellite antenna field, then hosted an end-of-day reception. Attendees came from companies including ABB, Abis Shipping, Boskalis, Feederlines, Inmarsat, Marlink, Oceansat, RH Marine Group, Speedcast and Vroon.