Marseille, Oslo and Paris | February 9, 2026 – In a move that sets a new benchmark for digital infrastructure in the shipping industry, the CMA CGM Group has announced a landmark partnership with Marlink and Eutelsat to deploy OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) connectivity across its global fleet.
The agreement will see the integration of high-throughput, low-latency satellite services on more than 300 vessels within the next nine months. This deployment is being hailed as one of the largest and most complex multi-orbit hybrid network architectures ever implemented at scale in the maritime sector.
A Triple Alliance for Digital Sovereignty
The partnership brings together three titans of the maritime and aerospace industries:
- CMA CGM: A global leader in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, operating 650+ vessels.
- Marlink: The managed service provider responsible for the complex integration and orchestration of the network.
- Eutelsat: The satellite operator providing the OneWeb LEO constellation, of which CMA CGM has been an anchor shareholder since 2022.
The collaboration emphasizes European digital sovereignty, utilizing European-based LEO services to ensure secure and reliable data flows for one of the world’s most critical supply chain operators.
The Technical Edge: XChange NextGen & Multi-Orbit Resilience
Unlike standard satellite setups, this solution is a hybrid network architecture. It combines Eutelsat OneWeb’s LEO services with existing LEO and Geostationary (GEO) networks.
At the heart of this system is Marlink’s XChange NextGen edge platform. This “Possibility Platform” acts as the central brain of the ship, providing:
- Centralized Orchestration: Seamlessly switching between satellite orbits to ensure 100% uptime.
- Cyber Security: Robust, integrated protection for ship-to-shore data transfers.
- IIoT Data Collection: Real-time gathering of engine and performance data to feed into AI-driven analytics.
- Cloud Enablement: Allowing vessels to operate with the same digital performance as a land-based office.
Impact on Shipping and Decarbonization
For the shipping sector, this news is particularly significant. The high-speed connectivity allows for real-time optimization of routes, speeds, and fuel consumption.
By processing vast amounts of weather and hydrodynamic data instantaneously, CMA CGM can achieve precise fuel savings and a measurable reduction in emissions. This directly supports the group’s aggressive decarbonization targets and provides a blueprint for how “smart” vessels can navigate the transition to a greener maritime economy.
Executive Statements
Ramon Fernandez, EVP & CFO, CMA CGM Group: “The integration of OneWeb’s LEO services contributes to the robustness of our fleet-wide connectivity, supporting operational efficiency and crew welfare. It reflects a pragmatic, long-term approach that meets our industrial, performance, and sustainability objectives.”
Jean-François Fallacher, CEO, Eutelsat: “This agreement marks a major milestone. By integrating OneWeb into CMA CGM’s ecosystem, we are supporting a future-proof solution that meets the growing demand for high-performance connectivity at sea.”
Erik Ceuppens, CEO, Marlink Group: “We are proud to jointly lead the transition into the multi-LEO future. This project highlights Marlink’s ability to deliver advanced digital solutions at scale, enhancing safety and decarbonisation across a global fleet.”
About the Companies
| Company | Key Profile |
| CMA CGM Group | Present in 177 countries; operates 650+ vessels; anchor shareholder in Eutelsat. |
| Marlink | Managed service provider with $800M+ revenue; 1,500 employees; leader in remote ICT. |
| Eutelsat | World’s first integrated GEO-LEO operator; manages 600+ LEO and 33 GEO satellites. |
About Marlink
For companies operating in the world’s most challenging environments, from merchant vessels to offshore energy operations, and from humanitarian organizations to cruise ships and superyachts, Marlink creates and delivers possibilities, anywhere.
As a managed service provider and global leader in remote ICT solutions, Marlink generates annual revenues surpassing $800 million and employs over 1,500 professionals operating in more than 30 countries. The company is recognized as the world’s number one provider in maritime connectivity, currently holding a 24.7% market share of the global maritime sector.
The Possibility Platform
Marlink’s core offering is its “Possibility Platform,” a comprehensive suite of end-to-end managed solutions designed to help customers work smarter, safer, and more sustainably. These services include:
- Connectivity: High-speed internet and cloud access via a “network of networks” (GEO, LEO, MEO, 4G/5G, and Terrestrial).
- Cyber Security: Advanced IT and OT security monitoring, threat detection, and incident response.
- Cloud & IT: Seamless global integration of cloud technology for remote assets.
- IIoT & Apps: Data-driven solutions for real-time monitoring of fuel consumption, emissions, and vessel performance.
With over 75 years of expertise, Marlink operates a global network of teleports (including the flagship Eik Teleport in Norway) and 24/7 Network Operations Centers (NOC). By unifying satellite, terrestrial, and digital services, Marlink empowers the maritime industry to bridge the gap between ship and shore, making tomorrow’s digital possibilities today’s realities.
Source: Marlink