MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 7, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) announces that Norbulk Shipping is installing Iridium OpenPort® high-speed satellite communication systems across its fleet of more than 70 ships in a move to reduce its monthly ship-shore communication costs.
Iridium service provider AND Group is supplying the equipment and service plan for the Norbulk ships. AND Group is integrating the satellite terminals with a robust connection suite to provide a powerful web-based tool for managing all aspects of e-mail, data and voice communications for crew welfare and ship's business.
"We have now installed Iridium OpenPort terminals on more than 400 ships around the world," said Ian A. Robinson, CEO of AND Group. "The system provides reliable, global, high-bandwidth satellite connections at a fraction of the cost of other high-speed mobile satellite systems."
"Iridium OpenPort, coupled with AND Group's flexible service plan, will help us greatly reduce our monthly satellite communication charges," said Walter Woodage, director and general manager of Norbulk. "In the current economic climate, it's vitally important for us to control our operating costs in order to remain competitive."
"Iridium OpenPort is rapidly gaining momentum in the maritime marketplace as more ship operators like Norbulk discover its unique advantages and benefits," said Greg Ewert, executive vice president of global distribution channels at Iridium. "Since introducing the product in 2008, we have delivered and activated more than 2,300 terminals."
About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc. (www.iridium.com) is the only mobile satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the entire globe. The Iridium constellation of low-Earth orbiting (LEO) cross-linked satellites provides critical voice and data services for areas not served by terrestrial communication networks. Iridium serves commercial markets through a worldwide network of distributors, and provides services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other U.S. and international government agencies. The company's customers represent a broad spectrum of industry, including maritime, aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. Iridium has launched a major development program for its next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. The company is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A. and trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbols IRDM (common stock), IRDMW ($7.00 warrants), IRDMZ ($11.50 warrants) and IRDMU (units).
About Norbulk Shipping
Norbulk Shipping is headquartered in Bermuda. Management offices are located in Glasgow, Riga, Helsingborg, Saint John, Genoa and St. Petersburg. The company was founded in 1982 and is privately owned. Norbulk, through its operating subsidiaries, currently manages a diversified fleet of LPG carriers, VLCCs, product and chemical tankers, ro-ros, refrigerated cargo container vessels and bulk carriers. Over the last five years, the group has supervised the construction and taken delivery of numerous new buildings in Korea and China.
About AND Group plc
Founded in 1974 in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, U.K., AND Group plc (www.and-group.net) is an internationally recognized provider of communication services to the marine and offshore sector. The company provides design, management, consulting and installation services across the MSS sector to a wide variety of clients operating in the marine and oil and gas industries. The company's recently launched IPSignature software platform is designed to optimize satellite communication and costs while providing flexible, administration-free access for crew.