North Star, UK offshore infrastructure support vessel operator and service provider, has invested more than £5 million in new business support software systems to drive operational and sustainability efficiencies across its operations while boosting seafarers’ wellbeing.
Its new digital efforts include a multimillion-pound investment in the ShipSure software platform, the enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform developed by V.Group, a strategic partnership with VesselMan to enhance its project-management toolkit, and in implementation of Starlink’s satellite communications across all ships to provide high-speed internet access and connectivity between its vessels and the shore.
“This £5 million investment in our digital capabilities is key to underpinning the strength and efficiency of North Star, making use of the best available business systems and technologies to support our continued focus on sustainably scaling our operations,” said Fraser Dobbie, North Star’s chief financial officer. “Partnering with the most innovative technology suppliers allows us to elevate our corporate intelligence and decision-making, generating increased value from the masses of data that we gather every day.”
As a purpose-built cloud-based ship management ERP, ShipSure is designed to allow the maritime company to integrate knowledge, streamline processes, and analyze data to improve performance across all elements of the business. ShipSure and VesselMan are also fully integrated, allowing seamless exchange of work order defects and status updates on purchase orders between the systems.
“We are excited to support North Star on this digital journey with our all-encompassing digital solution, delivered as a service offering across their fleet and offices,” said Stephen Macfarlane, chief information officer at V.Group. “Delivering ShipSure as a service is an important way for V.Group to partner with vessel owners to drive digitalization of their businesses, and we are thrilled that a leading offshore services provider such as North Star has selected ShipSure in recognition of the platform’s unique capabilities.”
In addition to using new technologies to enable business growth, North Star said it continues to place the wellbeing of its personnel at the forefront with the adoption of Starlink, the satellite constellation that uses a low-Earth orbit to deliver high-speed connectivity for offshore workers.
“ShipSure will improve safety, increase the efficiency of vessel crewing, inform procurement strategies, and help us to further improve the reliability of our vessels’ performance through planned maintenance,” Dobbie said. “It provides a modern engine from which to drive the vast knowledge and experience of our team to new levels.”
Trials of the new communications server confirmed internet speeds up to 50 times faster. Starlink’s low-latency rate also supports vessel operational technologies including decision support systems and other real-time solutions, with the ability to troubleshoot problems using virtual calls and video.
“Our crews are immensely dedicated and hard-working, operating vessels and supporting our clients for month long rotations,” Dobbie said. “Providing them with the ability to not only stream entertainment services, but also connect with home is a major boost for our offshore teams. We are thrilled with the results Starlink has delivered to date.”