Inmarsat’s work in support of seafarers stranded at sea due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been shortlisted in the prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2021.
The United Nations WSIS addresses issues raised by information and communications technologies (ICTs) with the goal of achieving a society where everyone can create, access, utilise and share information.
The WSIS Prizes contest evaluates projects and activities that leverage the power of ICTs to advance sustainable development and offers a unique global platform to showcase success stories in the implementation of the WSIS action lines and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Seafarer welfare
At the onset of COVID, Inmarsat immediately took action to provide seafarers with enhanced levels of connectivity, with a sweeping 50% discount for crew voice calling services from April 2020. This discount was extended twice throughout the year as the ongoing effects of pandemic were realised.
Voice call discounts were available for crew using our FleetBroadband ChatCard voice service and Inmarsat also took the decision to fast-track the launch of ChatCard services via our Fleet Xpress service to ensure seafarers on Fleet Xpress installed vessels could also benefit from the same promotion to ease financial burdens and ensure a lifeline to family and loved ones ashore.
Working with the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and major maritime charities, Inmarsat also offered crew free calls to ISWAN’s SeafarerHelp service as well as free access to the SeafarerHelp portal and live chat function. In addition, we worked with crew healthcare specialist VIKAND and software platform provider FrontM to provide a free COVD-19 video call service with a trained health professional to ensure crew welfare and safety.
Cast your vote
Out of almost 1,300 submitted projects, twenty have been shortlisted for each of the 18 WSIS Action Line Categories, including Inmarsat’s which falls within Category 11 – ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life.
WSIS stakeholders are now invited to cast their vote for a winning project in each category by 31 March, when the contest enters the Selection Phase. Eighteen winners and 72 Champions will be announced during the special WSIS Prizes 2021 Ceremony, which will be held during the final week of the WSIS Forum 2021.
To nominate Inmarsat to win simply follow the link to create an account – select ‘AL C7.E-employment’ from the drop down menu and click on Inmarsat’s entry to vote.
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