How Much Does Managed IT Support Cost for a Maritime Company with 20–100 Employees?

If you're running a small-to-mid sized maritime business, managed IT services typically cost between $150 and $250 per employee per month. For most organizations, that works out to roughly $3,000 to $25,000 per month, depending on the number of employees, vessels, offices, and compliance challenges you face. This number can vary by a lot because no two maritime companies operate exactly the same way. A company with two tugboats working inland rivers has very different technology needs than an international shipping company. Satellite connectivity, onboard equipment, remote crews, compliance requirements, database and tracking software, and cybersecurity all affect the final investment.

At ComSolutions, we've been supporting maritime organizations since 2008; so, we know firsthand how these factors influence cost and reliability. As a maritime company, just hiring a generic IT-MSP is not good enough

What Determines the Cost of Managed IT for Maritime Companies?

The reason the cost can vary so much is because you are not a typical IT client.  For maritime companies, the technology environment can extend well beyond office computers and Microsoft licensing in ways that other IT companies don't have the experience to handle. When you have a vessel to run, you have a whole mix of operational and communication systems that must remain reliable while meeting local or international regulations and industry standards.  For example, your managed IT costs may be influenced by the number of vessels you operate, the age of your onboard technology, and the communication equipment required to keep crews connected while at sea. Many commercial vessels rely on satellite communication systems such as VSAT or Starlink Maritime, onboard firewalls and network switches, Wi-Fi infrastructure, GPS receivers, voyage data recorders (VDR), Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), GMDSS communication equipment, radar systems, and integrated bridge networks. While specialized marine electronics are typically maintained by certified marine electronics technicians, the underlying IT infrastructure that connects, secures, and supports these systems often falls within the scope of a managed IT provider which can considerably add to complexity of your networking needs.

Shore-based operations also contribute to overall support requirements. Maritime companies frequently maintain multiple offices, port facilities, warehouses, dispatch centers, and remote employees who require secure access to company resources around the clock. Microsoft 365, cloud storage, VPN access, endpoint protection, backup systems, and cybersecurity monitoring are all becoming increasingly important as operations expand. Compliance is another major factor. Depending on the type of operation, companies may need to satisfy requirements related to IMO cyber risk management guidelines, U.S. Coast Guard regulations, cyber insurance standards, and customer security audits. Maintaining compliant systems requires continuous patch management, multifactor authentication, endpoint detection and response (EDR), backup verification, security monitoring, and documented cybersecurity policies.

Ultimately, the monthly investment depends on the complexity of your environment, not simply the number of users. A company with 40 office employees supporting six vessels operating internationally will typically require a much different level of IT support than a 40-person business working from a single office.

What Does Managed IT Usually Include?

A typical managed IT program should include proactive monitoring of servers, workstations, and network equipment, along with Microsoft 365 administration, cybersecurity protection, software patching, backups, and vendor management.  Maritime Operations need all of these things, but can also expect to need support that extends beyond the office. Vessel-to-shore connectivity, secure remote access for crews, satellite communications, and reliable access to operational systems are all part of keeping your business moving. When evaluating providers, it's important to understand exactly what's included in the monthly fee. Some MSPs advertise low prices, but are either unable to offer all of the additional support you need, or will tack them all in as hidden fees on top of what you think you will need to pay.

How to Build an IT Budget That Supports Long-Term Growth?

The best IT budgets aren't built around technology, they're built around business goals.  Start by taking inventory of your employees, vessels, and office locations. From there, identify the software your team relies on every day, review your cybersecurity risks, and determine which systems are most critical to keeping operations running. Having a three-year technology roadmap makes it much easier to plan hardware replacements, software upgrades, cybersecurity improvements, and future expansion without unexpected surprises. Working with an MSP like ComSolutions that understands the maritime industry can help eliminate unnecessary spending while ensuring critical systems receive the attention they deserve.

A Real-World Example of How We Save Maritime Companies Money

Maritime Industry standard software can be so expensive that many of our clients find it cheaper to build their own software solutions than pay these over-prices license fees.  Some of our clients spend over $50,000 per year on highly specialized software just to track their basic operations.  With our on-staff development department, we can build you custom, specialized software that replaces these old programs with software that YOU OWN at prices that very quickly pays for itself.

Why Maritime Companies Choose ComSolutions

Technology challenges in the maritime industry are different from those in a typical office environment. Supporting vessels, remote crews, multiple ports, and always-on operations requires experience that many general IT providers simply don't have. ComSolutions has been serving the maritime industry since 2008, providing managed IT and cybersecurity services for shipping companies, port services, and even maritime law firms. Our team understands the unique challenges of vessel-to-shore connectivity, remote operations, and maintaining reliable technology in demanding environments.

Whether your employees are working from headquarters, a port facility, or onboard a vessel, our goal is the same: deliver responsive, U.S.-based support that keeps your business operating securely and efficiently.

If you're evaluating managed IT services for your maritime business, we'd be happy to discuss your current environment and help you determine what level of support makes the most sense for your operations.