A significant milestone in Maritime digitalization was reached at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Lloyd’s Register OneOcean (LROO), and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) under the Department of Transportation of the Republic of the Philippines came together to sign a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement aims to integrate seafarer Certification systems into a Digital platform and develop a new mobile application, reducing reliance on paper-based processes.
Under this pilot project, global seafarers—especially the approximately 400,000 Filipino seafarers who form the largest mariner workforce in the world—will benefit from streamlined endorsement and verification procedures. The intended outcome is a significant reduction in administrative burdens for stakeholders, including flag administrations, Port State Control authorities, shipowners, and ship management companies. With multiple certificates and frequent renewals, paper documentation has long been a challenge, creating opportunities for errors, delays, and even fraud. A digitized solution promises secure, real-time access to valid credentials, simplifying verification and increasing transparency across the maritime sector.
ICS Secretary General Guy Platten expressed his enthusiasm, calling this initiative a vital step forward in the maritime industry’s digital transition. By consolidating all certificates on a single secure platform, seafarers can maintain ownership of their personal data and share their credentials only when necessary. Likewise, LROO Co-CEO & CPTO Nicholas Goubert highlighted the organization’s commitment to fostering efficiency and safety through technology, describing digital certification as a logical extension of Lloyd’s Register’s tradition in maritime compliance.
MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan underscored the Philippines’ commitment to global maritime standards, noting that this initiative aligns perfectly with the country’s ongoing digital transformation efforts. The project is also bolstered by recent updates to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code, which took effect on 1 January 2025, further encouraging the shift towards digital certification.
The MOU sets out to explore the technical and regulatory framework necessary for global digital verification. Through an Application Programming Interface (API) concept, MARINA’s Integrated Seafarers Management Online System (MISMO) will be linked to the new pilot platform. Following successful validation, a broader engagement will take place to gather feedback from seafarers, ensuring that this digital pathway meets the demands of modern maritime operations and enhances safety, efficiency, and sustainability across the industry.
