SITA pilots digital identity for global maritime operations

March 24, 2026 in Companies, Science and Technology, Technology & Telecoms by Editor

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.

 

SITA is extending its aviation-grade digital identity technology into the maritime sector, piloting a new system designed to modernise how seafarers are identified and certified across global shipping routes.

The initiative, developed in partnership with IDsure and Columbia Shipmanagement, replaces paper-based crew documentation with secure, interoperable digital credentials—marking a significant shift for an industry that has long relied on manual verification processes.

At the core of the pilot is a digital Seafarer Handbook, which allows crew members to store verified certificates on their mobile devices. Using a secure, GDPR-compliant application, seafarers can share their credentials instantly with port authorities and operators, while maintaining control over their personal data.

The system leverages SITA’s identity verification technology to authenticate passports and national IDs, enabling real-time validation of crew credentials at ports. This reduces processing times from hours to minutes, easing administrative burdens and improving operational efficiency for shipping companies.

“This project is a glimpse into the future of global mobility,” said Pedro Alves, Senior Vice President at SITA. “Across every mode of transport, identity is still managed through paper-based and manual systems. By extending trusted digital identity to the maritime sector, we’re showing how the same secure technology that lets systems ‘speak’ to each other can also protect people’s personal data. It means crew identities can be checked instantly and safely wherever they travel, reducing delays, easing administrative burden for operators, and helping crews move faster between vessels and ports. What we’re building with IDsure and our partners in the SmartSea ecosystem isn’t just innovation at sea, it’s a model for how digital identity can connect the world, safely and seamlessly, initially for seafarers, but extending to all ocean goers.”

The pilot is part of the broader SmartSea strategy, which aims to bring the same level of digital maturity seen in air travel to maritime operations. By linking digital identity with Port State Control processes, the solution supports faster compliance checks and reduces the risk of fraud and documentation errors.

Early adoption signals growing momentum. The Bahamas Maritime Authority has already partnered with IDsure to introduce digital seafarer record books and competency certificates, reflecting increasing interest among regulators in transitioning to paperless systems.

With more than two million seafarers operating across roughly 75,000 merchant vessels worldwide, the shift to digital identity could have far-reaching implications. For operators, it promises streamlined processes and lower costs. For regulators, it enhances oversight and compliance. For seafarers, it simplifies documentation and improves mobility between vessels and ports.

Initially focused on bridge officers, the pilot is expected to expand as more maritime authorities and industry players seek to modernise certification frameworks.

The move underscores a broader convergence between aviation and maritime technologies, as digital identity systems evolve into a shared infrastructure across global transport networks—offering a more secure, efficient, and connected future for international mobility.

“With this pilot, we are helping maritime authorities, training institutes, and shipping operators take a practical step toward digital certification,” said Jesper Holmgren, CEO at IDsure. “Working with SITA and Columbia Shipmanagement, we are replacing fragmented, paper-based processes with a more secure and verifiable digital approach built for global shipping.”