Summary
The Challenge
The Solution
The Result
Testimonials
Deployment Architecture
Featured Products
FAQs
Next Steps

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Seafar Scales Semi-Autonomous Fleet Operations with Peplink

Seafar built a teleoperation model that lets shore-based captains control multiple vessels remotely, helping the company scale its fleet despite a maritime workforce shortage. To support this and keep connections unbreakable, Peplink provides the network infrastructure.

Summary

Organization

Seafar, a semi-autonomous and remote vessel operator

Application

Shore-based teleoperation of crew-reduced vessels

Solution Provider

Frontier EU (Peplink Distributor)

Peplink Deployment

BR1 Pro 5G, HD1 Dome Pro, Switch Series, InControl, and SpeedFusion

Project Scope

50+ vessels and 4 remote operations centers

Outcome

24/7 teleoperational uptime, with fleet expected to double within the year

Seafar is pioneering a new model of vessel operations through teleoperation. By developing semi-autonomous vessels that shore-based captains can teleoperate, a single licensed captain can now oversee multiple ships simultaneously without ever stepping onboard.
This model helps meet the rising demand for waterway transport at a time when the maritime workforce isn't growing fast enough to match it. But teleoperation depends entirely on one thing, a connection that never fails. Forming the core of Seafar’s remote control infrastructure, Peplink delivers the reliable, low-latency connectivity required for real-time decision-making and safe operations.

The Challenge

Operating Where Connectivity Is Least Reliable

Seafar's vessels operate across inland and coastal waterways where cellular coverage is inconsistent and bandwidth fluctuates. For a conventional shipping company, a dropped connection is an inconvenience. For a teleoperating captain managing live navigation from shore, it's a safety concern.
As Seafar expanded its fleet, the connectivity challenge scaled with it. The solution had to work reliably across varied routes, tolerate zero interruption during live teleoperation, and deploy consistently across new vessels and partners without adding operational complexity.

The Solution

Multi-5G Bonding for Continuous Fleet-Wide Control

Seafar deployed a full Peplink architecture across its vessels and remote operations centers, collaborating with Frontier EU to build a unified network. With Peplink at both ends of the teleoperation system, SpeedFusion tunnels are established to help deliver the bandwidth and redundancy required for continuous teleoperational control.
Onboard each vessel, a BR1 Pro 5G is connected to three HD1 Dome Pros via a 16-Port Switch. An 8-Port Switch then distributes connectivity to onboard navigation and control systems. Bandwidth Bonding aggregates four simultaneous 5G connections, keeping latency low and each vessel reliably linked to shore even as coverage shifts along the route.
At each of Seafar's four remote operations centers, a BR1 Pro 5G integrates fixed-line and 5G, with 24-Port and 48-Port Switches supplying connectivity and power to essential peripherals. Hot Failover enables truly seamless failover between connections if an individual link fails, with no interruption to the teleoperation session.
All devices are managed centrally via InControl, giving Seafar's team real-time fleet-wide control without requiring on-site engineers at every vessel or center. This also allows new vessels to be onboarded into the same managed network without added complexity.

The Result

24/7 Control and a Fleet Ready to Double

With connectivity no longer limiting operations, Seafar can confidently scale its teleoperation model across new vessels and waterways. Shore-based captains maintain 24/7 continuous teleoperational control across the entire fleet, even in waterways that were hardest to stay connected in. This reliability is what lets Seafar onboard new vessels without needing to rebuild the network each time, supporting a fleet that is expected to double within the year.

Testimonials

What I’m particularly proud of is our ability to now scale our operations. From when we were first founded 6 years ago with a single vessel to now operating a fleet of over 50, the Peplink solution and the Frontier collaboration have enabled us to go from one to multiple vessels. We hope this journey continues in the years ahead.

Zia Nassir

Chief Technology & Operations Officer, Seafar

We basically shift the job of the onboard captain to a shore-based position, and the Peplink components ensure we can keep an eye on the connection, keep it stable, and avoid very serious damage to the waterway, the environment, or people.

Manolito Fernandez

QHSE Manager, Seafar

The transition is very smooth and the system of Seafar is working very well. I think the biggest benefit would be that the crews onboard the ship right now can also work onshore, so they have more time with their families.

Twan Brummelkamp

Captain, Bosman Shipping Group

Deployment Architecture

Featured Products

BR1 Pro 5G

  • Provides primary 5G connectivity for each vessel and shore center

  • Integrates fixed-line or other WAN connections alongside dual-SIM 5G, with built-in SpeedFusion support

  • Compact yet robust form factor built for both fixed installations and constant motion at sea

HD1 Dome Pro

  • Adds redundant 5G connectivity for network resilience on vessels

  • Embedded cellular antennas for minimized signal loss and maximized coverage

  • IP67-rated, weatherproof enclosure to withstand exposure to maritime elements

Switch Series

  • Offering a range of port densities to match vessel size or shore center demands

  • PoE-capable to provide power and connect to HD1 Dome Pros and peripherals

  • Featuring rugged variants built for harsh operating environments

InControl - Cloud Management

  • Provides oversight of devices across every vessel and remote operations centers from a single dashboard

  • Eliminates the need for on-site engineers by providing complete visibility and configuration control

  • Streamlines onboarding, letting new vessels join the existing managed network as the fleet grows

SpeedFusion Technology

  • Bandwidth Bonding aggregates up to four 5G connections to keep latency low as coverage shifts along the route

  • Hot Failover maintains teleoperational feed by instantly switching between connections if an individual link fails

  • Established as SpeedFusion tunnels between vessel and shore to deliver the bandwidth and redundancy for continuous teleoperation

FAQs

Q1. How does Peplink support semi-autonomous vessel operations?
A.
Peplink provides the connectivity backbone that makes shore-based teleoperation possible. On both ends of the link, vessel and shore-based control center, SpeedFusion uses Bandwidth Bonding to combine multiple connections together for greater bandwidth and a stable, low-latency feed that captains rely on for real-time navigation and control. If any individual connection degrades, automatic Hot Failover switches over instantly, keeping the teleoperational feed running without interruption.
Q2. Is cellular my only option when using Peplink infrastructure?
A.
Not at all. Peplink supports cellular, satellite like Starlink, fixed-line, and Wi-Fi as WAN sources, and SpeedFusion can bond multiple connection types together or use them as automatic failovers for each other. For vessels operating further offshore where cellular coverage drops out entirely, satellite connectivity is commonly used to maintain continuous connectivity across open water. Learn more about our joint Peplink and Starlink solutions here.
Q3. How can the Peplink network be managed across a fleet of vessels?
A.
All devices and connections across every vessel and onshore centers can be managed centrally through InControl. This allows real-time visibility, instant alerts, and full configuration control fleet-wide, without needing on-site engineers at each location. Additional Peplink devices can also be added to InControl as the fleet expands, making it easy to scale the network without added management complexity.
Q4. What Peplink products are recommended for maritime operations?
A.
It depends on vessel size, fleet setup, and the function being supported, whether for teleoperation, crew Wi-Fi, or general connectivity. Seafar's deployment uses the BR1 Pro 5G, HD1 Dome Pros, and the Switch Series, but other vessels may need different configurations. You can download and browse through our Peplink for Maritime Connectivity brochure for more recommendations, or see how SIEM Shipping and a U.S. Fishing Trawler have deployed Peplink in maritime settings.

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