[SatNews] MTN Satellite Communications (MTN and Maritime Broadband LLC (makers of the C-Bird™ VSAT system) have announced they have been selected to provide communication services to the MT Hellespont Progress product tanker under a 36-month agreement with German-based ship owner Hellespont Ship Management GmbH & Co. KG.

“On the MT Hellespont Progress, we have chosen to proceed with a 3-year contract for MTN global C-Band services using Maritime Broadband’s C-Bird™. We have found MTN’s worldwide coverage to be consistent and C-Bird™ to be economical and reliable,” said Matthias Edler, IT manager, Hellespont Ship Management “In addition, we are providing Internet and telephone services to our crew on a regular and affordable basis.” The Hellespont Ship Management GmbH & Co. KG MT Hellespont Progress vessel was outfitted with Maritime Broadband’s C-Bird™ antenna system in December 2009, with service delivered via MTN’s global, private satellite communications network. MT Hellespont Progress is a 228.6-meter product vessel built in 2006 and trades worldwide. The vessel was fitted with four phone lines for crew calling as well as email and Internet access. In addition, MTN’s global VSAT satellite network will be used for all ship operations including remote management communications. The 36-month contract calls for a guaranteed committed information rate (CIR) of 64 kbps with maximum bandwidth of 128 kbps.