Panama-appointed LRIT Data Centre Approves Satamatics Solutions

TEWKESBURY, UK – April 16, 2009 – EMS Satamatics, a division of EMS Technologies (NASDAQ: ELMG), announced today that its Satamatics Long Range Identification & Tracking (LRIT) solutions are now integrated within the Absolute LRIT Data Centre. This latest technical milestone follows Satamatics completing rigorous equipment testing, as required by the Maritime Safety Committee’s compliance guidelines, for ships to be able to reliably transmit LRIT information.

 “We are pleased that EMS Satamatics’ LRIT product range is now fully supported by the Absolute LRIT Data Centre and Conformance Testing systems,” says Jeff Douglas, president of Absolute. “The introduction of a new Inmarsat-based product range is significant, and offers a wider selection of equipment types for ship owners in meeting their LRIT obligations.”
Absolute Maritime Tracking Services was selected by the Panama Maritime Authority to provide the LRIT Data Centre (DC) and related Application Service Provider services.   EMS Satamatics designs and manufactures cost-effective solutions for safety and security for the maritime market and is one of only two Communication Service Providers operating Inmarsat IsatM2M services.

Sandy Lumsden, EMS Satamatics’ product manager, explains, “Satamatics considers Absolute a valued partner and we are delighted to support their tracking and distress-alert requirements at sea.  This significant milestone underscores our commitment to deliver low-cost, compliant solutions to the global maritime community.”

Under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), LRIT compliance became mandatory in January 2009 for thousands of vessels worldwide and applies to vessel types engaging in international voyages, such as passenger ships (including high-speed craft, cargo ships at or exceeding 300 gross tonnage) and mobile offshore drilling units. Proof of conformance of both the ship’s LRIT and SSAS obligations is mandatory for the annual vessel radio survey.
About EMS Satamatics

EMS Satamatics, a division of EMS Technologies (NASDAQ: ELMG) is a leader in global telematics providing global, end-to-end tracking and monitoring solutions for the transportation, security, maritime and the oil and gas industries.  EMS Satamatics helps companies and governments locate, track and communicate with mobile assets, safeguard their fleets, cargo and personnel, and monitor their fixed and mobile assets in the most hostile or remote terrains in the world.  Visit www.satamatics.com or www.ems-t.com for more information.

About Absolute Maritime Tracking Services

Absolute Maritime Tracking Services (AMTS) is a privately held company with offices in Panama City, Panama.  A joint venture between Absolute Software and PSC Holdings, AMTS currently operates the largest LRIT Data Center under contract to the Panama Maritime Authority.  Absolute has also developed many of the world's largest wide area satellite surveillance projects and their products are considered the benchmark for sophisticated automatic track analysis in the maritime domain.  For product information please visit www.absolutesw.com. 

For conformance testing requests in relation to Panama Flagged vessels, please contact us at:
activations@panama-lrit.com. 

For more information, please contact:

Claire Dickinson
EMS Satamatics
+44 (0) 1684 278610
claire@satamatics.com