Blockchain in Maritime Crew Management
Blockchain in Maritime Crew Management sector
The complex nature of the maritime world makes it hard to have a highly functional system that could take care of crew education and other processes in a most authentic and robust way.
There can be a method to solve this problem by bringing together the various entities involved in the processes and build a system that works with authenticity, immutability, transparency, creating trust throughout the network.
Sighting this cumbersome problem, it is commendable that blockchain adoption in the maritime sector has seen a steady growth in recent times.
A blockchain solution that will enable Ship Crew Management companies in the maritime industry to carry out a host of operations via distributed ledger technology (DLT), including verification of safety documentation and seafarers certificate depository management. The maritime ecosystem is gradually transitioning to launch a blockchain-based solution to handle the certification of seafarers.
It aims to streamline and expedite all activities in the maritime industry that gets slowed down by inadequate access to validated safety and training certifications of seafarers.
The solution can work in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
It will enhance the certificate issuance process and relevant documentation from engineering officers present in various jurisdictions, as well as aid the endorsement of recognition from a maritime authority for ship “embarkation and disembarkation.”
One of the excellent capabilities of blockchain technology is to allow authorized persons to manage their information securely.
The participating firms in the maritime blockchain initiative hope the platform would make it easier for individual seafarers to manage their certificate repository from original issuance, enable maritime authorities to handle the renewal and endorsement processes across several jurisdictions, while also allowing crew management firms to manage seafarers for crewing of vessels seamlessly.
The DLT platform will also see to it that vessel owners receive an overview of their crew, certificates, and endorsements in real-time.
This will also bring the fraternity to eradicate the duplication of the processes as the seafarer changes the company to company. With this technology implementation, the access of the particular profiles can be shared where in the authenticity checks and reliability shall be immutably stored for the next management to simply verify at the click of the button.
DLT in crew management is still developing at the elementary stage; however, in times to come, this vital transition shall revolutionize the industry.
