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Finnish oil firm and bunker supplier, Neste Oil, has extended its VSAT services with Marlink whilst upgrading its network and on board satellite hardware.

As part of the contract extension, Marlink is installing new VSAT antennas on all eight Neste Oil vessels whilst migrating the fleet to the iDirect platform.

The delivery, based on Marlink’s customized Sealink VSAT services also features multibearer support and the @SEAoptimizer solution, which is designed to enhance the efficiency of satellite data communications, optimise bandwidth utilisation and enhance the performance of web browsing and file transfers.

The move to the iDirect shared platform is designed to ensure sufficient bandwidth for vessel operations and crew welfare, whilst providing competitive airtime rates and link stability.

Four Neste Oils vessels will have a dual antenna set-up on board, to ensure uninterrupted communication during complex manoeuvres, where superstructure on board may block line of sight to the satellite. This approach is designed to provide uninterrupted connectivity in order to support safety and efficiency during operations where continuous communication with the shore office is required.

"We have a technology agnostic approach at Marlink, where our goal is to provide the most competitive, reliable and best performing connectivity regardless of platform," commented Robin Hernandez, Key Account Manager, Marlink.

"Following a thorough review of the existing communications network platform provided by Marlink, it was decided that the iDirect approach would best suit Neste Oil’s changing requirements. The first vessel has already been migrated to iDirect, and I'm pleased to report that so far, the feedback has been very positive," Hernandez added.

Neste Oil is a refining and marketing company, with a production focus on premium-quality, lower-emission traffic fuels. The company produces a range of petroleum products and is the world's leading supplier of renewable diesel. Neste Oil had net sales of EUR 17.9 billion in 2012 and employs around 5,000 people.