2011
Radio Holland USA is now able to offer the complete Pole Star portfolio to their customers throughout North America. The business relationship between Pole Star and the Radio Holland Group is further strengthened with Radio Holland North America joining Radio Holland Netherlands in the distribution of the Pole Star product portfolio.
The Pole Star Fleet Management service provides the most reliable global tracking solution on the market. It includes a host of features such as vessel history, interactive C-map charts, MARPOLand high risk zones, weather forecasting and Cyclone tracking. Users can also integrate their data into Google earth. All of this means the customer has the most comprehensive fleet management tool on the market.
The Pole Star’s Alert Advanced service allows a wide range of SSAS equipment be registered to a single SSAS management platform. Pole Star has also developed the Ship Security Reporting System (SSRS) which routes enhanced SSAS alert messages via a naval operations centre directly to participating task forces.
Duncan Halliday, Head of Distribution at Pole Star says, "This new agreement with Radio Holland North America means the shipping companies in the USA and Canada will be able to use the latest technologies and services we have developed. More importantly, these customers will experience the local support offered by the Radio Holland North America."
Craig Cabiro, National Sales and Marketing Manager for Radio Holland North America, says "We are excited to bring Polestar’s full line of products and services to market in North America. TheirFleet Management and SSAS services are a perfect complement to Radio Holland’sportfolio of navigation and communication products."
"Pole Star's commitment to safety at sea is evident in their partnership with Amver"
Benjamin Strong
Director of Amver Maritime RelationsToday, over fifteen hundred vessels are contributing position reports to the Amver search and rescue plot via the Pole Star automatic Amver link.
In close collaboration with Amver, Pole Star developed the automatic link in 2008, allowing ship owners and operators to automatically send position reports directly to Amver, relieving the master of manually submitting position, deviation and final arrival reports.
Initially available to Fleet Management customers, Pole Star extended the Amver link to their SSAS Alert Advanced customers in March of this year. Since that time, the number of vessels using the feature has almost doubled, growing at a rate of 4 vessels per day and reaching a new high of 1500 vessels in November.
"Pole Star is committed to promoting safety of life at sea which includes helping to reduce the bureaucratic burden on the master and ships officers," commented Paul Morter, Director of Sales (Commercial Marine) at Pole Star. "Automated reporting to Amver is one way of supporting these goals."
"Pole Star's commitment to safety at sea is evident in their partnership with Amver," said Benjamin Strong, Director of Amver Maritime Relations. "The number of Pole Star customers electing to participate in Amver helps ensure no call for help goes unanswered. It's a demonstration of the sorts of achievements that can be accomplished when government and the private sector work together."
London – 27 October 2011 -- Pole Star Space Applications Limited ("Pole Star"), Absolute Software Inc. and Absolute Maritime Tracking Services Inc. ("Absolute") today announced that the merger of the three organisations has been completed. The enlarged global business, headquartered in West London, will provide a combination of monitoring and security related services to more than 35,000 vessels - half the world's international fleet.
Combining Pole Star's award-winning expertise in systems for commercial fleets, flags and maritime administrations with Absolute's proven credentials in fisheries management, together with its services to flags and maritime administrations, the enlarged organisation will offer cutting-edge technology to the maritime industry as a whole.
The merged company will now operate Long-Range Identification & Tracking (LRIT) data centres for 40 maritime administrations including Panama, Singapore, the Marshall Islands, Liberia, Australia, and Canada as well as providing LRIT Conformance Testing and Certification for more than 90 Flags. In addition, the combined company's increased technology resources will enable the group to deliver superior, cutting edge products more quickly to its customers.
"As a long time customer of Pole Star, we are excited by this merger and look forward to the added benefits that this will bring to us," said Captain Jude Dias, Company Security and Safety Manager of Wallem GmbH & Co, Germany. "With the combined technology expertise and reach of these two organisations, Pole Star will provide us with the advanced technological solutions that we need to manage, track and protect our fleet in line with international regulations and compliance measures."
"Our goal is to be the world's leading provider of fleet management, ship security and vessel monitoring systems to the maritime industry as a whole. This merger is a big step towards achieving that," said Colin Hook, the newly appointed CEO of Pole Star. "Both Pole Star and Absolute have complementary businesses and technologies and together we can provide extended, more advanced services and systems to our clients around the globe. We are excited by the opportunity of being able to offer fisheries solutions to many of our existing government clients."
Pole Star has launched Industry Zones, adding a new layer of safety and security functionality to its Fleet Management and SSAS Alert Advanced products; simplifying compliance and improving security visibility for Pole Star customers. Industry Zones enables users to select from a series of pre-defined areas that carry additional environmental regulatory requirements or security risks and apply them to their voyage management and reporting procedures. Industry Zones provides automatic notification when a vessel enters and exits the pre-defined zone and can be configured to increase frequency of reporting while in the zone.
In addition to Industry Zones, an enhanced zone management feature will now support the creation user defined zone groups, allowing users to combine their own areas of interest and with the supplied pre-defined areas.
Pole Star Space Applications Limited, Absolute Software Inc. and Absolute Maritime Tracking Services Inc. today announce that they are actively engaged in talks intended to lead to a merger of their respective global operations. As a result, clients will have improved access to the combined companies’ market-leading services and technology solutions. All key managers will be taking senior roles within the merged group.
For more information, please contact:
Colin Hook, Chairman
Pole Star Space Applications Limited
Tel: +44 (0)20 7313 7400
Pole Star Space Applications Limited is the world’s leading provider of location-based fleet management, security and telematics services to the commercial marine sector and Government Administrations. Working closely with its extensive client base and its global partner network, the company has developed innovative and reliable solutions that enable its users to manage their assets worldwide. The company’s services provide clients with the information they need to maximise operational performance and to safeguard their assets and crews. More than 1,250 clients utilise Pole Star’s systems and services which provide support for operational and regulatory responsibility to more than 25,000 ships worldwide. This includes the management of some 38 LRIT National Data Centres. Pole Star is being advised by Livingstone Partners LLP.
Absolute Software Inc. and Absolute Maritime Tracking Services, Inc. are leading international providers of Fisheries Vessel Monitoring Systems and LRIT for large merchant maritime shipping. In total, the Absolute companies monitor the location of over 12,000 ships on a daily basis. This includes management of the Panama National Data Centre, the world’s largest data centre with over 6,000 vessels monitored. Absolute also offers ruggedized solutions to the transportation, mining and oil & gas industries for terrestrial fleet monitoring, beyond the range of conventional radio or cellular data networks. Absolute is being advised by Near Earth LLC.
Pole Star, the provider of choice for location-based maritime fleet management, security, and monitoring solutions, has unveiled its revamped LRIT.com website . The site has been redesigned and updated to provide the latest regulatory, equipment, and survey guidance to help ship owners / operators, Maritime Administrations, and associated stakeholders achieve, monitor, and maintain total SOLAS V/19-1 compliance.
The LRIT.com website now has separate sections providing ship operators with a simple guide to the LRIT compliance process, advice on the various LRIT shipborne equipment options, at-a-glance information identifying Administrations that have authorised Pole Star as a LRIT conformance testing / certification partner, and clear guidance on Pole Star's LRIT conformance testing and certification process (ship operators who undertake LRIT conformance testing with Pole Star are offered a free-of-charge commercial Fleet Management trial to demonstrate the utility and commercial benefits of satellite-based ship tracking).
Pole Star’s extensive expertise and high quality of service is widely recognised by the maritime industry, with over 90 SOLAS Government Administrations (Flags) having appointed Pole Star as their Authorised LRIT testing ASP and close to 40 Administrations having contracted Pole Star as their Recognised LRIT Data Centre provider.
Satellite monitoring outfit is only maritime services firm to win a place in list of the UK’s 100 fastest growing private companies.
ONLY one maritime services venture made it into a leading UK newspaper’s list of the country’s fastest growing private companies, it emerged as the Sunday Times International Track 100 listing prepared to hold its annual awards dinner in London tonight."It can only be hoped that such wider recognition helps to highlight the importance of anti-piracy measures and that Pole Star, and perhaps others, can track their way further up such international business league tables."
Steve Matthews
Lloyd's List
The company, Pole Star Space Applications, provides satellite monitoring systems which include security services to assist in piracy prevention and monitoring. It made it to number 90 in the league table.
Its place in the Sunday Times list was attributed in particular to its 50% year-on-year growth in satellite-enabled ship security alert systems, vessel tracking and counter-piracy services, including a tool that enables coalition forces to respond faster and more effectively to piracy attacks.
Pole Star’s Long Range Tracking and Identification Data Centre tracks more than 9,000 vessels world-wide. It can only be hoped that such wider recognition helps to highlight the importance of anti-piracy measures and that Pole Star, and perhaps others, can track their way further up such international business league tables.
Article from Lloyd's List http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/ship-operations/article373992.ece
Published: Tuesday 28 June 2011
© 2011 Informa plc. All rights Reserved. Lloyd's is the registered trademark of the Society incorporated by the Lloyd's Act 1871 by the name of Lloyd's
Pole Star and Radio Holland Netherlands have signed a Distributor contract that enables Radio Holland Netherlands to offer the complete Pole Star portfolio encompassing Fleet Management, Marine Asset Tracking, SSAS Alert Advanced, Ship Security Reporting System (SSRS) and LRIT Conformance Testing to their shipping customers.
"We see a real benefit to our customers, specifically in the Fleet Management and counter-piracy solutions (SSAS and SSRS) which will enable them to monitor vessel operations and enhance security management, both issues of paramount importance to the maritime industry today."
Nico van Leeuwen
Radio Holland Netherlands'
Commercial ManagerRadio Holland Netherlands, an Imtech Marine company, has also become an Approved Service Centre (ASC), providing parts and servicing for Pole Star onboard equipment.
Duncan Halliday, Pole Star's Head of Distributor Management, says: "It is a logical step to increase the commercial relationship between Pole Star and Radio Holland Netherlands. Radio Holland has sold our online LRIT testing service since 2008 with RH Netherlands alone completing over 2,000 tests. Our intention is to build on this foundation and we are delighted that, with RH Netherlands as a Pole Star distributor and ASC, they will now be able to provide additional Pole Star services to their customers."
Nico van Leeuwen, Radio Holland Netherlands' Commercial Manager, comments: "The Pole Star portfolio complements the range of quality products we currently offer. We see a real benefit to our customers, specifically in the Fleet Management and counter-piracy solutions (SSAS and SSRS) which will enable them to monitor vessel operations and enhance security management, both issues of paramount importance to the maritime industry today."
Nautical Friday is Seafarers UK’s national corporate fundraising day.
Staff at Pole Star’s UK and Hong Kong offices took part in a nautical themed fancy dress competition, cake sales, knot tying and battleships games plus a raffle of donated prizes ensured a fun day raising a total £836.
Seafarers UK is the country’s leading maritime charity which gives grants to over 70 front-line welfare charities. Each year it gives £2.5m to charities in the UK and Commonwealth.
"Pole Star is proud to support the work of Seafarers UK, and this event is a timely reminder of the sacrifices and hard work of seafarers on vessels all over the world"Simon Henson
Director of Finance
The UK relies on seafarers every day, but the vital role they play in our lives often goes unrecognised. With 95% of UK trade arriving be sea, without seafarers and shipping, supermarket shelves would stand empty, and fuel supplies would run dry within days.
By getting involved in Nautical Friday Pole Star not only raised much needed funds, but also gave seafarers the recognition they deserve.
"Pole Star is proud to support the work of Seafarers UK, and this event is a timely reminder of the sacrifices and hard work of seafarers on vessels all over the world" said Simon Henson, Director of Finance. "Our employees both here and in our Hong Kong office were keen to become involved with raising funds for this excellent cause, and they have all worked hard to raise as much as possible".
Seafarers UK (King George’s Fund for Sailors) is a registered charity in England and Wales: 226446 and Scotland: SCO38191
Julian Longson
Director of Business Development
Pole Star’s LRIT Data Centre service now tracks more than 9000 vessels following a period of sustained effort undertasken by various Flags in conjunction with Pole Star’s LRIT operations team. The team consists of dedicated multilingual staff operating 24/7 to provide the most comprehensive LRIT support service available.
Julian Longson, Director of Business Development at Pole Star, commented: “Close cooperation between Pole Star’s LRIT operations team and our Flag clients has demonstrated that significant improvements can be made in the operational compliance of LRIT Data Centres and their associated fleets. We anticipate that as we extend our compliance improvement program to other Flags, the overall supported fleet size will approach 10,000 vessels.“
Pole Star is currently the appointed LRIT Data Centre provider to 37 Contracting Governments and the authorised LRIT Testing ASP to 90 Contracting Governments.
Pole Star has updated its SSAS Alert Advanced product. Now, in addition to all the reporting and security functions that have made Alert Advanced a world leading ship security alert system, there are a number of new features that existing customers can already find in the Tools menu in their login.
Zones allows the CSO to create geo-zones to define sensitive or high-risk areas, while, using Zone notifications, they can set up notifications to be advised when a vessel enters or exits the zone. Overdue position reports enables a notification to be sent automatically when a position report is overdue. All these features give the user the vital information they need to improve vessel security and crew safety.
Pole Star has also included an Amver notifications feature. This sets up automated position reporting to Amver at no extra cost to the user. Pole Star reporting vessels currently account for more than 20% of vessels on the Amver plot.
"We have an ongoing programme of development not only for SSAS but also for our tracking and monitoring products", says Paul Morter, Pole Star’s Director of Sales. "We will continue to improve our existing products and develop new ideas and systems to give customers the tools and data they need to maximise operational efficiency and maintain their commitment to maritime safety."
"We also thank Pole Star for this life saving partnership. "
Ben Strong
Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Amver, United States Coast GuardIf not for the partnership (link to pdf) between Pole Star and Amver the Greek ship Vanessa A would never have been identified to divert and assist two German sailors on Dec. 29, 2010. Couple that partnership with the online Amver surface picture request form and it was a rescue hat trick!
Rabat to the rescue
MRCC Rabat used the online form to request Amver information when they were notified of a 406 Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) in their search and rescue region. Within minutes of receiving the position of the Greek ship, rescue authorities in Rabat requested they divert and save the two Germans.
The Greek race to rescue
Thankfully the Vanessa A, managed by Kouros Maritime Enterprises, is a subscriber of Pole Star's Fleet Management package which allows their ships to automatically send Amver reports without any manual entry from the bridge. Within 30 minutes of being notified of the distress situation the crew of the Vanessa A was on the scene and engaged in rescue operations.
“Our thanks goes out to the rescue personnel in Rabat for requesting the Amver information so vital for saving the German sailors” Ben Strong of Amver commented. He went on to say “ We also thank Pole Star for this life saving partnership. The Amver system wouldn't be a success without the participation of vessels like the Vanessa A so a big thanks goes out to the master and crew.”
Photo credit: crew of the M/V Vanessa A
Text provided by: Amver
