Maritime Sector: How Marlink Is Revolutionizing Fleet Connectivity in South America with Starlink

The digital transformation of the oceans has reached a decisive milestone. Marlink, a leader in satellite connectivity with a presence in the Vintage FPCI Altaroc Odyssey , is deploying a large-scale hybrid solution for Transpetro, Brazil’s largest maritime fuel logistics company (a subsidiary of Petrobras).

This large-scale deployment, now fully operational, enables the fleet to enter the era of connected open seas, solving one of the world’s greatest logistical challenges: maintaining stable, ultra-fast bandwidth in the middle of nowhere.

A hybrid tri-band architecture for maximum security

The solution designed by Marlink for Transpetro is based on an intelligent, redundant network infrastructure capable of automatically switching between technologies depending on the geographic region:

• Marlink's global VSAT network: To ensure continuous global coverage and industrial-grade reliability.
• The Starlink constellation (LEO): Designed to provide very high data capacity and low latency, equivalent to a terrestrial fiber connection.
• A backup MSS (Mobile Satellite Services) system: To ensure the absolute continuity of critical communications in the event of extreme weather conditions.

Management of this complex infrastructure is centralized through Marlink’s proprietary XChange platform. From a dedicated customer portal, Transpetro’s headquarters manages its entire network, while a virtual private network (VPN) secures the exchange of critical data between ships and shore. Crews now enjoy modern onboard services: high-speed Wi-Fi, VoIP telephony, and software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) technology.

Case Studies: The Benefits of Hybrid Connectivity on the High Seas

The adoption of this hybrid model (VSAT + Starlink) has become widespread among major shipping and offshore companies. Feedback from the industry highlights three major impacts:

1. Travel Optimization and Decarbonization

For international commercial fleets, continuous connectivity links ships’ IoT sensors to engineering teams onshore. By analyzing weather, currents, and engine performance in real time, dynamic routing software enables adjustments to the ships’ speed.

Results observed in the industry: Shipping companies using these optimization tools see an immediate reduction of 5% to 10% in their fuel consumption, a crucial factor in meeting international environmental standards.

2. Remote Predictive Maintenance

Previously, a failure of critical equipment in the middle of the Atlantic meant waiting until the next port of call to have a technician come on board, grounding the ship at great expense. With high-speed, low-latency internet, ship officers can use augmented reality glasses to receive remote guidance from top technical experts on shore. Diagnostics are instantaneous, and repairs are carried out in real time.

3. Crew Retention (Crew Welfare)

Recruiting and retaining seafarers has become a critical issue for shipowners. Younger generations of seafarers are reluctant to spend months away from their loved ones.

Findings from fleet managers: Access to hospital-grade Wi-Fi that enables regular video calls with families and access to streaming platforms drastically reduces staff turnover on board.

A new stage in Marlink's expansion in South America

Beyond mere connectivity, this integrated solution opens the door to new digital resources for Transpetro, such as online training modules for seafarers.

To support this growth and meet the demand for managed solutions, Marlink is significantly expanding its local teams in Brazil. The company has established a dedicated technical support team and expanded its administrative staff to manage financial operations directly on-site. This strategy strengthens Marlink’s position as the go-to partner for the digital transformation of maritime and energy companies in South America.