Great to see some flag states finally entering the 21st century with digital certification for vessels. One less job for a Master to perform by not having to maintain a folder of certificates.
Hopefully we will see the digital implementation of digital certification for seafarers, so there is no need to carry anything more than one credit card sized ID when joining a vessel. This would also help fight fake certification if everything is held on a secure central database.
"The Danish Maritime Authority made world news when it announced on 24 June last year that from then on Danish ships were no longer to set to sea with heaps of paper certificates.
Today the Danish Maritime Authority only issues digital certificates, which are very efficient and save time and money for both shipowners and authorities.
Today the Danish Maritime Authority has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the maritime authorities in Singapore and Norway. The MoU has been signed on the occasion of the maritime event Singapore Maritime Week and establishes the basis for the three countries’ efforts to spread the use of digital certificates.
Director General Andreas Nordseth from the Danish Maritime Authority:
”It is an important step that Norway, Singapore and Denmark – three major shipping nations – join forces to spread digital certificates. Cooperation makes it easier for us to promote the use of digital certificates and make more countries enter upon the digital course."