Welcome Maritime Wi-Fi praised in global crew survey

(Posted on 15/08/25)

Elcome International’s WELCOME Maritime Wi-Fi, now marking one year of service, has emerged as a transformative force in the lives of seafarers, delivering fast, reliable, and affordable internet access across the globe’s oceans.

A recent user experience survey reveals overwhelming satisfaction for the service and highlights its vital role in supporting the mental health, communication, and professional growth of seafarers.

“Seafarers using WELCOME Wi-Fi report high levels of satisfaction, daily reliance on messaging and video calls, and a growing belief that maritime internet should be treated as essential infrastructure,” said Jimmy Grewal, Elcome’s Managing Director.

Based on answers to the 13-question survey, the average internet speed rating from respondents was 8.7 and above, with 44% awarding WELCOME Wi-Fi a perfect score of 10. Ease of use followed closely with a score of 8, and overall experience averaged 9. Nearly half of all users (49%) rated their experience a 10.

“What we’re seeing is a complete shift in expectations,” said Grewal. “Crew members are no longer asking for basic access, they’re asking for parity. They want what everyone onshore already has: the ability to communicate, participate, learn, relax, and be human. We believe seafarers deserve this.”

WELCOME users also rated video call quality highly: 88% said it was either excellent or very good. This reflects how far maritime communications have advanced in just a few years. One respondent noted: “Who knew the middle of the ocean could have better Wi-Fi than my apartment?”

The feedback also underlines how central WELCOME Wi-Fi has become to seafarers’ everyday lives. An overwhelming 76% of respondents said they connect with family and friends multiple times daily. The most used applications include WhatsApp (85%), Gmail and other email services (70%) social media platforms (60%), and video streaming (45%).

One user commented: “Before WELCOME, FaceTime calls would cut out or not connect. Now, I’m able to call home before and after work every day. It has really been a blessing.”

Seafarers are not just using WELCOME to call home but also to carry out essential life admin. Over half of all respondents (53%) said they rely on WELCOME Wi-Fi for transactional services, such as banking, bill payments, shopping, and other essential tasks. As one user wrote: “It helps me to make any kind of payment to my family and friends without any internet issue.” In an industry where long offshore periods once meant financial disconnect, WELCOME is restoring autonomy and convenience to life at sea.

In terms of value, 71% of respondents described WELCOME as either “much more” or “slightly more” affordable than other satellite providers. When asked to rate their likelihood of recommending the service to a friend or colleague, WELCOME scored a Net Promoter Score® of 71, an outstanding result in any industry, let alone maritime telecoms.

“WELCOME is more than just an internet solution,” said Grewal. “Affordable, reliable Wi-Fi is a lifeline that keeps families connected across vast oceans. It has role to play in reducing seafarer loneliness, enabling e-learning, accessing banking and essential services, and even gaming and streaming sites and platforms, activities previously impossible to maintain reliably at sea.”

Latest News

Rollout of CMT test kits increase as bulk shipmanagers look to reduce costs

CM Technologies (CMT) has supplied its integrated onboard fuel/oil testing and analysis kits to a fleet... Read more

Superior’s TeleStacker conveyor evolution continues to improve plant and port performance

Superior Industries, Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing... Read more

Repositioned for the Future: NDE Readymix’s E-Crane Transformation

NDE Readymix Concrete Ltd., established in 2009, is the largest non-cement ready-mix concrete producer... Read more

Hazira Port crane success for Steelpaint’s new Stelcatec-L repair coat solution

German corrosion protection specialist Steelpaint has successfully completed a technical field trial... Read more

Veson Platform a new foundation for maritime trade

Veson Nautical has announced the Veson Platform, a unified, AI-powered experience that brings together... Read more

ABB to acquire Høglund to expand marine automation offering

ABB has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire marine automation specialist Hø... Read more

NAVTOR sets new standards with Digital Logbook ‘industry firsts’

NAVTOR has unveiled the latest iteration of its Digital Logbooks offering, featuring the industry&rsquo... Read more

Industry warned battery fire awareness must catch up with changing onboard risks

The maritime industry is facing a rapidly changing fire risk on board vessels as electric vehicles and... Read more

Smart Ship Hub launches one of industry's lowest-cost vessel data loggers

Smart Ship Hub (SSH), the maritime intelligence and data collection platform, has launched one of the... Read more

75 Years young: Verstegen celebrates three quarters of a century of excellence

World leading manufacturer of rope operated mechanical grabs for the dry bulk industry, Verstegen Grijpers... Read more