Türkiye commands the 11th largest merchant fleet globally, making it a critical strategic market. With over 65,000 active seafarers, retaining skilled personnel is more vital than ever. For the maritime industry, prioritising crew welfare is now central to achieving operational stability.
The arrival of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) networks, like Starlink, is completely transforming vessel connectivity. While high-speed connectivity is essential for digitalising ship operations and enhancing efficiency, it is equally critical as the foundation for modern crew welfare, directly enabling better work standards and mental well-being onboard. High-speed access helps address seafarer isolation, boosts morale through personal communication, and facilitates vital online learning.
However, unchecked usage poses a challenge: unlimited access risks soaring costs and security risks. Therefore, achieving control and balance is essential.
To reconcile the crew’s demand for access with the owner’s need for cost management, IEC Telecom offers voucher-based systems that integrate with its Starlink Maritime Portfolio.
This system allows shipowners to fulfil their corporate social responsibility (CSR) by providing a fair, defined data allowance to every crew member. At the same time, it maintains flexibility: crews can easily purchase top-up credits for personal use, ensuring operators retain full oversight of bandwidth and budget.
By combining advanced connectivity with intelligent access management, IEC Telecom offers the Turkish market a great tool to set a new regional benchmark for welfare standards and digital efficiency.
Discover how IEC Telecom’s voucher systems and Starlink connectivity are practically addressing the key challenges of crew retention and cost management in the full article by Ahmet Aybar, Managing Director of IEC Telecom Türkiye, available in this issue of Deniz Endustri.
