Paraguayan Tug Company Chooses Marlink

Marlink’s leading WaveCall Ku-band solution has been installed on four pusher tug boats and a river containership owned and operated by Paranave SA sailing on the Paraná river system in Paraguay.

With insufficient regional cellular network coverage available, Paranave needed a communications solution that would provide reliable seamless service to support its new pusher tug fleet’s sophisticated engine control and system monitoring equipment. WaveCall, with small onboard VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) antenna systems, was chosen as Marlink was able to guarantee coverage across Paranave’s total area of operation. 

The new system allows Paranave’s shore-side management team as well as selected equipment manufacturers remote access to various on board systems. Additionally, as pirate activities increase worldwide, the WaveCall solution is ready to be upgraded to provide IP video for security monitoring, should the need arise. All five vessels are now benefiting from broadband connectivity and voice services.

“Paranave SA is a family-owned, third-generation managed company. Our operating and safety procedures are of utmost importance in providing quality service to our customers. We have specific requirements for on board communications that the cellular network could not meet. So, choosing a VSAT solution was a natural step,” said Esteban dos Santos – Operations Manager (and grandson of company founder Raul dos Santos), Paranave SA. 

“With WaveCall and remote engine control and monitoring, we are able to achieve much higher vessel uptime, meaning lower maintenance costs and improved performance. This is a major contributor to our ability to have the best transit times for our customer’s import and export cargoes to and from Paraguay. The seamless connectivity also enhances safety for our people and vessels, providing more peace of mind for us as employees and the customers that trust Paranave as their logistics partner,” continued dos Santos.

“Delivering the high bandwidth and stability required by Paranave requires a strong combination of factors, with service coverage and technical know-how being vital qualities. Unlike a large deep-sea tanker or boxship, space on a pusher tug’s pilot house is at a premium. We must ensure the same quality and reliability of service, but with a much smaller and lighter on board antenna system. Our 30+ years of experience in providing VSAT connectivity to platforms and a diverse range of vessels was an important factor in Paranave choosing Marlink as its communications partner,” said Thomas Taricco, Regional Sales Manager – Marlink.