MOROCCO – Marlink, a provider of Smart Network Solutions, has extended its partnership with Soremar Group, a maritime company, to provide an enhanced range of safety and vessel management services to fishing operators in North Africa.
This agreement enables Soremar clients, companies operating fishing vessels in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean, to access vessel monitoring systems (VMS) using Iridium’s L-band communications.
“Fishing operators in North Africa focus on safety compliance and the optimisation of potential catch, so the ability to combine mandated safety services with digital tools is an obvious advantage,” says Dounia Gnaou, Managing Director, Soremar Group.
“Enhanced provision of VMS and GMDSS services enables Soremar customers to further explore and embrace digitalisation and value-added services that can improve profitability moving forward.”
Tore Morten Olsen – President, Maritime, Marlink
“The high number of alerts received via GMDSS every year is a testament to the value of this service to our customers operating in harsh environments.”
The North African fishing vessels can also install Iridium’s new Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) communications through this partnership enabling them to stay connected and compliant, while providing communications during an emergency.
“Being able to provide tailored services is key for a partner like Soremar whose customers demand safety but also require the utmost flexibility and agility in their connectivity plans in a very competitive market,” said Tore Morten Olsen, President, Maritime, Marlink.
“Enhanced provision of VMS and GMDSS services enables Soremar customers to further explore and embrace digitalisation and value-added services that can improve profitability moving forward.”
Marlink and Soremar have previously collaborated to create a portal that can be used by shoreside teams to track fishing vessels at sea and send and receive vessel positions and fleet overview to meet regulatory requirements.
Since the end of last year, Soremar has held state licences to provide security solutions for the Iridium satellite network via Marlink, which is now commercially available to Soremar’s extensive portfolio of fishing customers in Morocco and neighbouring countries.
Its extensive knowledge and long heritage in North Africa make it the natural choice for fishing industry customers requiring the widest choice of digital safety solutions.
With about three decades of experience and very distinctive brands, SOREMAR serves in innovative marine, leisure and communication products.
The main activity of SOREMAR is the distribution and repair of navigation equipment and marine electronics.
For nearly three decades they have been leaders in Morocco with more than 80% of the Marine electronics market.
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