Ivo Veldkamp

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT IVO VELDKAMP

In 2005, I founded the company which is now known as Castor Marine and Castor Networks providing best in class satellite and IT services to vessels and yachts at sea and business customers, NGO’s and government agencies requiring connectivity in remote locations. Castor started as a provider of broadcasting distribution services over satellite. These services were business critical to our customers: if it didn’t work, the TV or Radio channel would be offline. Today this is still in the DNA of the company – we feel comfortable in supporting customer primary processes. Soon after the start, Castor evolved into a Teleport Operator, operating 13 antennas between 3.7 and 16m in diameter in Teleport Burum, a shared facility with Inmarsat. In 2008 Castor Networks started offering Internet services over satellite (VSAT) to NGO’s, Embassies and Enterprise customers operating in remote locations in Africa. In 2012 we expanded our offering to the maritime sector, serving Offshore, Merchant, Superyacht and Cruise customers. Over the years our VSAT network expanded into a global VSAT network serving vessels worldwide.In 2022 Castor Marine signed as one of the first Satellite Service Providers a Reseller Agreement with SpaceX for Starlink services followed by a Distributor Agreement with OneWeb in 2024 fully embracing the \"LEO\" services and the disuption to the satellite industry. For our customers Starlink and OneWeb provide fiber like internet experience to remote locations and vessels allowing to optimize processes and gains in efficiency by digitalization & automation. For staff/ crew this means they can now remain in contact with their loved ones using modern means such as WhatsApp video and FaceTime and at the same time enjoy online content like being at home. Reinventing ourselves by anticipating on changes in customer requirements and technology have allowed Castor Marine to develop itself into a full service provider. I am very thankful for the people that have contributed and are contributing to Castor. Where we are is because of you: the hard work of our fantastic staff, trust and support from key customers, technology partners and suppliers including SpaceX/Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, Iridium, FortiNet, Dell, Intellian and ST Engineering. We are standing on your shoulders.In 2025 Castor Marine became part of the Navarino Group, marking a significant milestone. This partnership enables Castor Marine to expand its service portfolio, delivering even greater value to our customers.