Radio Holland Delivers NavCom and VSAT on four special newbuild Vessels

In a challenging newbuild market, NavCom and On Board ICT specialist Radio Holland books multiple orders. Radio Holland was awarded contracts to deliver and install the complete NavCom and VSAT packages for four newbuild vessels.

Two of the Meriaura Group and two of Eureka, part of SMT Shipping, all built at Royal Bodewes (Hoogezand, The Netherlands). ‘’We have completed many successful projects with Radio Holland and are happy to work with them on these four new vessels’’, comments Johan Schouwenaar from Royal Bodewes.

‘’We find that the need for new vessels is still there’’, says Nico van Leeuwen, Sales Director of Radio Holland. ‘’And in the global shipping industry, Radio Holland is a trusted name. In the challenging market, we do see an increase in service & maintenance contracts with several ship owners around the world and a focus on efficient ship to shore communications. These new orders from Meriaura Group and Eureka also include maintenance and connectivity. We are very happy to help them realize their newbuild projects and run a smart business with less downtime and lower operational expenses.’’  Theunis Eelkema, Radio Holland’s Sales Manager: ‘’We already have a number of vessels in maintenance for Meriaura. They designated us as the preferred supplier to Royal Bodewes, and now we will deliver and install the complete NavCom package, including VSAT, for the 742 and 743 EcoCoasters.’’

EcoCoasters

Meriaura’s 742 and 743 are EcoCoasters that operate highly energy efficient and run on alternative fuel sources like EcoFuel. They are the new breed of cargo ships that transport dry cargo like containers and bulk material. Compared to conventional ships, they can achieve a fuel reduction of almost 50%. Both ships are planned for delivery in July and September this year.

Cement carriers

Eureka vessels 766 and 767 are two cement carriers that are equipped with a special, fully automatic loading and unloading system for cement. Both are being built by Royal Bodewes, with Radio Holland delivering and installing the complete NavCom, VSAT and satellite TV packages. The 766 is planned to be finished this year, with the 767 following next year. Theunis comments: ‘’Included in this contract is a three year global airtime agreement for both vessels. The 766 will mainly operate in the Baltic whereas the 767 will be engaged in the Caribbean.’’