Maritime Satellite Services: Complete Guide to Ship Connectivity & Communications
SpaceX Starlink signed nearly 300 cruise ships and many commercial vessels by mid-2025, intensifying competition in maritime satellite communications. The global market reached $3.0 billion in 2023, with over 46,000 vessels using L-band services and 186,500 active VSAT terminals. Iridium gained GMDSS recognition in 2020, ending Inmarsat’s decades-long exclusivity. APAC leads growth with a projected 12% CAGR through 2029.