Crew welfare, multi-network solutions, and the next era of maritime connectivity

In this episode of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast, correspondent Gary Howard sits down at Posidonia with Robert Sakker, president & CEO of Pulsar International, and Ben Palmer OBE, president of Viasat Commercial, to explore how next-generation satellite connectivity is reshaping life and work at sea.From the mental health of seafarers caught in geopolitical crises to the fiercely demanding Greek shipping market, the conversation dives into why reliable, secure, and high-capacity connectivity is now a strategic necessity—not just a technical nice-to-have.Robert and Ben unpack NexusWave, a fully managed, bonded multi-network service that combines LEO, GEO, and cellular to deliver resilient connectivity for ship operations and crew welfare. They discuss the shift from price-driven decisions to value and outcomes, the growing role of cyber security as ships become “mobile offices,” and how multi-orbit, software-defined networks and upcoming Viasat-3 satellites are setting the stage for the next five years of maritime digitalisation.