Hellespont Progress Installs the Maritime Broadband C-BirdTM Antenna

Hellespont Hammonia GmbH & Co. KG installed the Maritime Broadband LLC C-BirdTM system aboard the MT “Hellespont Progress” in December 2009. The installation represents a 90 day trial of the antenna, integrated with the iDirect 5100 modem, with global satellite services provided by Maritime Telecommunications Network, Miramar, FL. Hellespont will trial the system before committing to a 3 year agreement. Matthias Edler, Manager, Information Systems, noted that Maritime Broadband was selected because, “It was seen in the company that we must improve on our offer of modern communication tools to the vessel and particularly to the crew. From the technical point of view we have to follow the path to purely IP Protocol based connections which are the next generation communication infrastructure in the shipping industry. As a quality ship manager and operator we must also look at the well being of our crews. The importance of them being able to communicate with their families on regular and cost efficient basis must not be underestimated”. The MT “Hellespont Progress” is a 228.6 meter product carrier, built in 1996. The vessel trades worldwide. During the initial voyage from Flushing, Netherlands to El Segundo, CA, Captain Larry Deluna noticed immediate benefits from the system, commenting that, “The C-Bird TM antenna is amazing. Cheaper telephone calls for the crew at any time, Internet, updated news, chats and even typhoon tracking thru Internet. The crew loves the antenna. They call their family or chat with them everyday. We have a happy crew.” Hellespont Hammonia GmbH & Co. KG is a member of a shipping and maritime services group providing transportation solutions and equipment to shipping and industrial companies since 1946. Hellespont Hammonia GmbH & Co. KG (www.hellespont.com) operates a fleet of 21 ships, with an additional 7 vessels on order. The Company is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. Maritime Broadband LLC (www.maritimebroadband.com) is an engineering company providing innovative VSAT communication systems for maritime use. The Company’s flagship product, the C-BirdTM antenna, represents years of research and development in partnership with leading ship owners. The Company is headquartered in New York. iDirect (www.idirect.net), a subsidiary of VT Systems, is transforming the way the world gets and stays connected. The company’s satellite-based IP communications technology enables constant connectivity for voice, video and data applications in diverse and challenging environments. iDirect serves customers in 50 countries through a diverse network of channel partners, including some of the largest satellite providers, operators and carriers in the world and seven of the World Teleport Association’s Global Top Ten. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, iDirect has offices in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. MTN Satellite Communications (www.mtnsat.com) is the leading global service provider of at-sea communications, connectivity and content services. MTN’s global VSAT satellite communications network offers the reliability that only “Always On – Always Available” systems can provide. More than 500 vessels worldwide, including cruise ships, government and military vessels, private yachts, ferries, offshore drilling and production sites, and commercial ships depend on MTN’s voice and data networks to allow them to “be in the middle of nowhere and at the center of everything”. The Company is based in Miramar, Florida.