Philippines, ICS, and LR OneOcean To Digitise Seafarer Certification

A landmark agreement has been signed between the Lloyd’s Register OneOcean (LROO), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) of the Philippines Department of Transportation to explore the future of digital seafarer certification.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Headquarters in London, aims to streamline verification processes, improve efficiency, enhance security, and reduce administrative burdens related to seafarer certification.

The collaboration will focus on developing and testing a secure digital platform where seafarer certificates can be stored, verified, and accessed in real-time by shipping companies, flag administrations, port state control, and seafarers themselves.

The project will also work on a new mobile application, allowing seafarers to access and manage their credentials digitally.

The transition from paper-based certification to a digital system is expected to minimise errors, prevent security risks, and improve efficiency.

Currently, the renewal and verification of seafarer certificates vary across different countries, leading to delays and additional paperwork.

The pilot project will evaluate how a digital system can eliminate these challenges and create a more seamless global process.

ICS says that moving towards digital solutions is the next step in modernising the maritime industry. The organisation partnering with MARINA is crucial, as the Philippines is the world’s largest supplier of seafarers.

Lloyd’s Register OneOcean, which plays a key role in maritime safety and compliance, believes that digital certification will simplify processes for seafarers, ship management companies, and regulators.

The organisation stated that collaborating with ICS and MARINA will help build a secure, accessible, and efficient digital system for the entire maritime sector.

MARINA expressed its commitment to adopting digital innovations that enhance efficiency and security. The agency sees the pilot project as an important step toward aligning the Philippines with international maritime standards while providing Filipino seafarers with a modernised and hassle-free certification process.

The project aligns with the recent amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code, which came into effect on January 1, 2025.

These changes support the global transition to digital certification and more efficient verification methods.

As part of the initiative, ICS, LROO, and MARINA will develop an Application Programming Interface (API) concept to connect MARINA’s Integrated Seafarers Management Online System (MISMO) with the digital certification platform.

The integration will allow seafarers to take control of their data while making certification verification faster and more reliable.

Once the pilot project proves successful, MARINA will consult with its community of around 400,000 Filipino seafarers to gather feedback on the adoption of digital certification.

Their input will be valuable in refining the system and ensuring it meets the needs of seafarers and maritime organisations worldwide.

Reference: International Chamber of Shipping

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