Teekay Shipping Signs Agreement to Be International Launch
Customer for the Connexion by Boeing(SM) Maritime High-Speed Internet Service
LONDON, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Teekay Shipping Corporation
(NYSE:TK) and Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Company
(NYSE:BA), today announced the signing of an agreement that makes Teekay the
international launch customer for the Connexion by Boeing(SM) Maritime Service. The maritime service allows vessels in mid-ocean transit to experience global
high-speed communications at affordable rates. For the first time, maritime
operators will be able to benefit from the same high-speed connectivity service
that is revolutionizing the way travelers and airlines communicate in-flight at
30-thousand feet.
The agreement calls for the high-speed communications service to be fitted on
50 of Teekay's vessels, with an option to install on an additional 40. Financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.
"As we worked closely with Connexion by Boeing during the service trial last
year, we were very impressed by the power and potential the technology
provides," said Graham Westgarth, president of Teekay Marine Services, a
business unit of Teekay Shipping Corporation. "The trial gave us a glimpse of
the future where our vessels will become a virtual extension of our offices
ashore. Our sea staff will benefit from the latest information and technology
solutions available, contributing to their lifestyle on board, while enhancing
the efficiency of our operations. The service will also complement our
existing communications infrastructure, enabling us to explore innovative
business opportunities and solutions with our customers." The service will provide data rates up to 256 kbps from the vessel to the
satellite and data rates up to 5 mbps from the satellite to the vessel. The
high data rate enables multiple, simultaneous users to access the Internet,
corporate intranet, and e-mail, get the news, weather or destination
information via a simple portal interface.
"Teekay shares our vision of a high-speed connectivity solution that provides
superior economics, while improving ship-to-shore communications for operators. This tool opens up the maritime market to new possibilities and improved
communications flexibility," said Laurette Koellner, president of Connexion by
Boeing. "Supplying high-speed connectivity solutions to maritime customers is a
natural complement to our commercial airline service and leverages the existing
satellite, ground-based and customer support network we have established,"
Koellner added.
"Connexion by Boeing is bringing revolutionary new capabilities to the
commercial shipping industry -- affordable, high-speed data communications,
voice services and live television -- all on a global scale," said Sean
Schwinn, director of Maritime for Connexion by Boeing. "We're confident the
industry will quickly find ways to put this technology to work, to provide a
more productive and connected on-board environment." Installations and service commencement are expected in the fourth quarter of
2005.
About Teekay Shipping Teekay Shipping Corporation transports more than 10 percent of the world's
seaborne oil and has recently expanded into the liquefied natural gas shipping
sector. With a fleet of more than 140 tankers, offices in 14 countries and
approximately 5,500 seagoing and shore-based employees, Teekay Shipping
Corporation provides a comprehensive set of marine services to the world's
leading oil and gas companies, helping them seamlessly link their upstream
energy production to their downstream processing operations. Teekay's
reputation for safety, quality and innovation has earned it a position with its
customers as a premier marine midstream company.
About Connexion by Boeing Connexion by Boeing is, for the second year running, the recipient of the World
Travel Award for World's Leading High-Speed In-flight Internet Services
Provider. It was recently named one of the wireless companies to watch in 2005
by IDC wireless services analysts, and is the recipient of Network Magazine's
Innovation Awards 2005 honor for "Product Breakthrough." Through a broadband
connection to an equipped aircraft, high-speed Internet, data and entertainment
connectivity is delivered directly to travelers in flight. The Connexion by
Boeing service is available today on flights offered by Lufthansa, SAS, Japan
Airlines, ANA and Singapore Airlines. In addition, China Airlines, Korean Air,
Asiana and El Al will begin offering the high-speed service on their long-range
aircraft in the very near future. Connexion by Boeing also offers a high-speed
connectivity solution for the business aviation and maritime markets. For more
information, please visit http://www.connexionbyboeing.com/.
Forward-Looking Statement:
Forward-Looking Information is subject to Risk and Uncertainty. Some of the statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking
statements" that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. These forward-looking statements reflect our intentions, plans, expectations,
assumptions and beliefs about our maritime service as well as future events and
are, therefore, subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors and
conditions, many of which are outside our control. These important factors and
conditions could cause actual results to differ materially from the
expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements including
known and unknown risks. Because actual results could differ materially from
our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about the future,
you are urged to view all forward-looking statements contained in this news
release with caution.
Cathy Rudolph, Connexion by Boeing, +44 773 091 8732
Elissaveta Bahovska, Connexion by Boeing (London) +44 20 7747 5533
Jennifer Horner, Teekay Shipping, +1 604 617 2764
Sherry Nebel, Connexion by Boeing + 1 206 655 5205 For television broadcast requests please contact Media Relations at Worldwide
Communications & Television, +212 445 8220, DATASOURCE: Connexion by Boeing CONTACT: Cathy Rudolph, +44 773 091 8732, or Elissaveta Bahovska, (London) +44 20 7747 5533, or Sherry Nebel, +-1-206-655-5205, all of Connexion by Boeing; or Jennifer Horner of Teekay Shipping, +1-604-617-2764 Web site: http://www.boeing.com/
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