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The Maritime Industry Authority recently signed an MOU with the International Chamber of Shipping and Lloyd’s Register OneOcean for a digital seafarer certification pilot project
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The three agencies will explore the feasibility of a secure system integrating all seafarer certificates, allowing real-time access for key stakeholders and empowering seafarers with greater control over their data
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Under the MOU, MARINA, ICS, and LROO would evaluate the technical and regulatory requirements for a global digital certification system
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The pilot project marks a significant step in providing a global platform for a streamlined and seamless certification process for the Filipino seafarers,” MARINA administrator Sonia Malaluan said
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and Lloyd’s Register OneOcean (LROO) for a digital seafarer certification pilot project.
The three agencies will explore the feasibility of a secure system integrating all seafarer certificates, allowing real-time access for key stakeholders and empowering seafarers with greater control over their data.
According to MARINA, the MOU underscores its commitment, together with the ICS and LROO’s, to modernize seafarer certification processes in alignment with international standards, aiming to reduce administrative burdens while enhancing compliance and efficiency for seafarers, shipping companies, Port State Control, and flag administrations.
Under the MOU, MARINA, ICS, and LROO would evaluate the technical and regulatory requirements for a global digital certification system, including an initial API integration concept linking MARINA’s Integrated Seafarers Management Online System (MISMO) to the pilot platform.
“The pilot project marks a significant step in providing a global platform for a streamlined and seamless certification process for the Filipino seafarers. This collaboration reinforces the Philippines’ commitment to aligning with global maritime standards and moving towards digital transformation in the maritime industry,” MARINA administrator Sonia Malaluan said.
Malaluan, along with ICS Secretary General Guy Platten and LROO Co-CEO & CPTO Nicholas Goubert, signed the agreement.
“At the International Chamber of Shipping we are excited to be moving forward with this pilot project. The world is changing and in support of the digital transition we believe this is the imperative next step to support the entire sector with a new solution that will not only minimise administrative burden but maximise efficiency for a safe and sustainable industry. The Philippines is the world’s largest provider of seafarers and working together with MARINA is key to this pilot project. We look forward to collaborating with Lloyd’s Register OneOcean and MARINA in making this a success,” International Chamber of Shipping Secretary General Guy Platten said.
For his part, Lloyd’s Register OneOcean Co-CEO & CPTO Nicholas Goubert said: “LR has an established role in maritime compliance and safety. Through LR OneOcean, we are now applying our expertise to explore how digital solutions can streamline certification, making processes more efficient for seafarers, flag administrations, and the wider industry. Working alongside ICS and MARINA on this pilot project is an exciting opportunity to bring together different perspectives and expertise to explore a digital certification approach that could benefit the entire maritime sector, improving accessibility, security, and regulatory compliance in a meaningful way.”
The MOU was signed during the Philippine-hosted cocktail reception at the 11th session of the International Maritime Organization’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping on February 12, 2025.
