The pilot forms part of the wider SmartSea strategy, bringing aviation-grade digital identity to maritime operations through a collaboration between SITA, Columbia Shipmanagement, and IDsure.
For decades, the maritime industry has relied on paper documents and manual checks to verify crew identities and certificates. This slows down operations and adds cost and risk for an industry that moves millions of seafarers across borders every year. Now, as part of the wider SmartSea strategy, SITA and IDsure have launched a Digital Travel-enabled identity pilot for the maritime sector with Columbia Shipmanagement, bringing aviation-grade identity verification to life at sea.
The pilot, now live with Columbia Shipmanagement, focuses on digitalizing professional certificates for ship crews. Verified credentials are stored in a digital Seafarer Handbook, replacing paper documents and manual checks. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed in minutes, easing pressure on crews and operators.
Momentum is already building beyond the pilot. The Bahamas Maritime Authority has partnered with IDsure to introduce digital seafarer record books and competency certificates, showing growing interest among flag states in moving away from paper-based systems toward secure digital alternatives. (....)