The 2019 Inmarsat Superyacht Connectivity Report provides an insight into the future requirements for global, mobile satellite communications on superyachts. A survey of superyacht captains, engineers and crew has revealed a significant projected increase in large scale Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) usage and spend, as the growth of digitalisation in the sector continues.

New research carried out by The Superyacht Agency has revealed that 80 per cent of superyacht professionals surveyed expect to use VSAT for more than half the time on-board within the next five years.

Published in the newly launched 2019 Inmarsat Superyacht Connectivity Report, the finding is among several significant insights that back evidence of a substantial surge in VSAT connectivity usage on-board the superyacht fleet by 2024, as the desire for freedom to sail anywhere around the world places a high priority on continuous global on-board connectivity.

Satellite communications specialist, Inmarsat, has now launched its second annual report, in association with The Superyacht Group, to gain a unique understanding of the future requirements for global, mobile satellite communications on superyachts by analysing input from superyacht skippers, senior crew, chief engineers and technical professionals on vessels ranging from 24m to over 100m.

Key findings from the 2019 Inmarsat Superyacht Connectivity Report include:

- Usage of large scale VSAT will increase – currently 46 per cent of respondents, growing to 80 per cent by 2024, are using VSAT more than 50 per cent of the time on-board

- Spend on satellite communication will increase – currently 34 per cent of respondents spend between €5,000 and €20,000 annually, growing to 57 per cent by 2024

- Demand for IoT applications will increase – currently respondents predict IoT will account for 6.2 per cent of operational connectivity demand, increasing to 24.7 per cent by 2024

- Demand for TV over IP streaming will increase – currently 24 per cent of respondents are using 50 per cent or more of their connectivity use on TV over IP streaming, growing to 58 per cent by 2024

- Only 17 per cent know the difference between Anti-Virus software and more secure endpoint protection

- 7.5 per cent of respondents say that no-one oversees cyber security on-board

- More than 80 per cent of respondents showed a lack of awareness about the most effective measures of cyber security

Peter Broadhurst, senior vice president, Yachting and Passenger, Inmarsat said: “Once again, it has been hugely beneficial and informative for us to work with the superyacht community to produce the annual Inmarsat Superyacht Connectivity Report. Underlining their needs for the future, the report ensures that we can match our services with their requirements by providing the best, most reliable connectivity at sea globally.

"Underlining [the superyacht industry's] needs for the future, the report ensures that we can match our services with their requirements by providing the best, most reliable connectivity at sea globally" - Peter Broadhurst, Senior Vice President, Yachting and Passenger, Inmarsat

“As expected, the results confirm the expansion of digitalisation in the sector is gathering pace – but the level of projected growth in large scale VSAT usage and spend in the next five years is even higher than anticipated. The feedback on cyber security, a key factor in the future safety of these vessels, is particularly valuable for us in our continued work with superyacht professionals to provide more robust and accessible options. With the research confirming that most respondents are still not aware that an in-depth, multi-layer cyber defence is much more effective that a standard antivirus program, it is essential that we help to raise awareness in this area by working with captains and engineers.”

The full report is available for download here or by visiting https://www2.inmarsat.com/2019-superyacht-connectivity-report

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