Hamburg, 19 January 2008 - Becker Marine Systems Communication, the operator of umc.global network (universal global marine communication network) and ClearPoint Weather, provider of a global weather information services, today agreed to establish a strategic partnership. The terms of the agreement state that Becker Marine Systems Communication will integrate the ClearPoint High Definition Weather™ Service into the umc.global network. The fully integrated service will provide up-to-date and detailed weather information for maritime shipping vessels around the world.

Accurate information about the weather situation on the high seas is an important part of the security and the economic success of the worldwide maritime shipping. The integration of ClearPoint High Definition Weather as a managed service to be marketed as “umc.global network weather®” - always and everywhere, provides the latest weather information and precise weather forecasts at sea for any user of the umc.global network. The new service helps customers avoid the often difficult and time-consuming task of searching for and obtaining weather data from a wide variety of specialist weather services via Navtex, radio, telephone or facsimile services.

Location-specific and real-time, umc.global network weather shows the prevailing conditions at your precise location, tracks your vessel and automatically sends alerts for your changing position. Featuring advanced predictive technology, umc.global network weather allows navigators to anticipate changes in weather conditions up to five days in advance – a highly important feature that assists in overall routing. Predictive data on key marine applications include winds, waves, fronts, visibility, clouds, lightning, tropical storms, bulletins, alerts, and more. The new weather service is provided by the umc.global network via wireless, WiMax, 2GSM, 3GSM or any satellite service worldwide directly to the ship’s bridge, 
 

providing an optimized and cost-effective systems integration solution. The intuitive, graphical user interface delivers complex data in an easy-to-read display, accessible on laptops, tablets, and other PC-based systems.
umc.global network weather is a fully integrated application of the umc.global network, which is a unique, turnkey, managed, and secured IP-based communications solution for use on seagoing vessels. With umc.global network weather it is possible for the first time to permanently provide complex and comprehensive weather data in addition to optimized routing that reduces fuel consumption costs.
 

About Becker Marine Systems Communication
Becker Marine Systems has over 60 years experience in the maritime industry. The business unit Communication benefits from the extensive maritime experience and knowledge in consideration of proven industry standards. Becker Marine Systems Communication develops and operates the umc.global network with a global and universal communications infrastructure for shipowners, ports, terminals, shipyards and sailors. The umc.global network includes a number of managed services for IP-based VPN, VoIP, 3GSM, Satellite and wireless networks. Becker Marine Systems Communication is based in Hamburg and operates regional offices in Europe, Asia and Americas. Founder and Managing Directors are Dirk Lehmann and Thomas Mueller.

Contacts:
Friederike Himmelreich
becker marine systems communication
Tel: +49-40-29867-413
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Horst Grubert
becker marine systems communication
Tel: +49-40-29867-455
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umc.becker-marine-systems.com 
Amtsgericht Hamburg, HRA 104392
Management: Dirk Lehmann, Thomas Müller; HRB 9827

About ClearPoint High Definition Weather ™

ClearPoint High Definition Weather is the world’s most comprehensive and easy to use ultra high-resolution global weather information service for sailboat racers, cruisers, fishermen, yacht clubs, marinas, resorts, and weather-trackers, worldwide. ClearPoint offers real-time, accurate weather data for advanced weather decision-making. Headquartered in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, TrueNorth Global Inc. launched its ClearPoint weather service in 2007. Additional information can be found on ClearPoint’s website at: www.clearpointweather.com.

Contacts:

In Europe:
Heinrich Hess
Tel: +49 8136 893 899
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International:
Matthew Piette
ClearPoint
Tel: +1 512 736 8316
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