SatCom Global has launched a crew calling initiative, offering free telephone vouchers to its Satcom Global Aura VSAT customers.

The measure is expected to support the welfare of seafarers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company operates the Aura network and has offered its customers a 30-minute free voucher for all crew members who are on board a vessel that uses the Aura service.

Satcom Global CEO Ian Robinson said: “On speaking to a number of ship owners and managers since the coronavirus outbreak began, we appreciate there are significant challenges being faced by the maritime industry, not least the direct impact on the mental wellbeing of seafarers as they face longer spells at sea and the inability to travel home.

“We hope this gesture will help more crew to connect with family and friends and bring some relief during this difficult time.”

The crew voice services of Aura are supported by Satcom Global’s exclusive communications management solution, IPSignature 4.

The IPSignature 4 enables the crew to use virtual voice pins.

With the initiative, the company expects to serve more than 20,000 seafarers.

Satcom Global offers cost-effective maritime communications services, using different satellite networks. It has a separate in-house development team.

In 2016, Satcom Global launched the Aura Ku-band VSAT service to support the maritime sector requirements that can offer better connectivity and the wide-ranging data demands for vessel operations.