ASIA MINOR – Ab Qer – Egypt - Starlink, OneWeb & Zwana Smar Box Installation & Commissioning

Field Dispatch - ASIA MINOR 

Ab Qer – Egypt | 15–17 November 2025

Project Summary

Global Satcoms successfully completed a full multi-antenna and network installation onboard ASIA MINOR, including Starlink, OneWeb, Zwana Mini, WatchGuard firewall, and SMC4 mail services.
The operation covered antenna mounting, RF cabling, modem installation, network configuration, VoIP testing, system integration, and crew orientation.

Vessel: ASIA MINOR

Location: Ab Qer – Alex

Service Dates: 15–17 November 2025

Service Scope:

• Starlink Antenna Installation & Commissioning

• OneWeb Antenna Installation & Commissioning

• Zwana Mini Installation

• WatchGuard Firewall Setup

• SMC4 Mail Configuration & Testing

• Grandstream IP Phone Testing

• Crew Training & Handover

• System Validation & Remote Coordination

Challenges & Operational Constraints

• Engineer required to standby 1 hour 45 minutes at port awaiting boarding approval.

• Vessel experiencing total loss of internet upon arrival, requiring immediate troubleshooting.

• Installation involved multiple systems (Starlink, OneWeb, Zwana, WatchGuard) within a short offshore window.

• Legacy Cisco switch experiencing intermittent port freezes, impacting final optimisation.

• Long offshore work period: over 30 hours on board across 3 consecutive days.

Work Completed

The attending engineer performed a complete communication infrastructure deployment, including:

• Mounting and cabling the Starlink antenna

• Preparing foundation mast for OneWeb system

• Installing and commissioning OneWeb antenna and CNX modem

• Running RF cables for both systems

• Installing WatchGuard Firewall T25 and Zwana Mini device

• Full network configuration with Global Satcoms support team

• Configuring and testing SMC4 mail services

• Testing and validating Grandstream IP phones (voice quality perfect)

• Enabling DHCP and adjusting DNS settings for business PCs

• Testing Wi-Fi network and providing crew account access

• Crew training and system explanation

• Final testing: Internet, voice, email, and Wi-Fi all working properly

Summary of Activities

15 November 2025

• Travel to port; standby awaiting agent approval.

• Boarding and initial meeting with captain; vessel reported internet not working.

• Begin installation of Starlink antenna, RF cabling, and indoor unit.

• Preparation and installation of OneWeb antenna mast.

16 November 2025

• Running RF cables and installing CNX modem.

• OneWeb commissioning completed with successful internet tests.

• Installation of WatchGuard firewall and Zwana Mini device.

• Coordination with helpdesk to configure network with new parameters.

• SMC4 mail configured and tested successfully.

• DNS and DHCP adjustments for onboard business PCs.

• Testing of both Grandstream phones – excellent call quality.

• Wi-Fi network validated and crew account shared.

• System tests (Internet, voice, Wi-Fi) all returned strong results.

17 November 2025

• Final verification, report completion, captain signature, and disembarkation.

• Travel home.

System Status

Notes & Recommendations

• Cisco switch requires replacement due to port hanging issues.

• Network performance is stable post-configuration across all systems.

• Crew requested updated Wi-Fi access management (account provided).

• All devices tested and performing as expected.

Lessons Learned

• Multiple-system installations demand thorough sequencing.
  Installing Starlink, OneWeb, Zwana, and WatchGuard required disciplined workflow to avoid configuration conflicts.

• Legacy hardware can impair new systems.
  The faulty Cisco switch delayed optimisation and should be replaced to maintain network stability.

• Clear communication with support team accelerates commissioning.
  Remote parameter configuration allowed quick commissioning of both antennas and mail services.

• Crew training ensures smooth adoption.
  Explaining system usage, Wi-Fi access, and new configuration improved understanding and reduced future support calls.

• RF cable routing must be planned early.
  Efficient routing enabled clean installation, especially with two antennas.

Service Outcome

• Full installation of Starlink, OneWeb, and Zwana network systems completed successfully.

• All communication channels (Internet, voice, email, Wi-Fi) validated and performing well.

• Crew fully briefed on system usage.

• Captain signed off on successful completion of works.

• Vessel communication capability upgraded significantly with dual-antenna redundancy.