The Malta Ship Registry has launched the Digital Seaman's Record Book, marking another important step in the ongoing digitalisation of services provided by the Merchant Shipping Directorate within the Authority for Transport in Malta.
The Seaman's Record Book is an official document recognised within the industry as a formal record of the service undertaken by a seafarer, regardless of rank, throughout his career.
The new service replaces the physical Maltese Seaman's Record Book with a secure digital credential, which the seafarer can access directly through a personal digital wallet. The initiative has been developed by the Merchant Shipping Directorate in conjunction with technical experts specialising in secure digital documentation.
Minister for Sustainable Mobility Chris Bonett, welcomed the launch, noting that the initiative forms part of Government's continued investment in modernising Malta's maritime administration and improving the services available to the international maritime community.
"Malta has built its position as a leading maritime jurisdiction by continuing to evolve with the needs of the industry. Digitalisation is an important part of that evolution. Through initiatives such as the Digital Seaman's Record Book, we are making essential services more accessible, efficient and secure for the people who depend on them, wherever in the world they may be," said Minister Bonett.
The introduction of the Digital Seaman's Record Book builds on a number of digitalisation
initiatives undertaken by the Malta Ship Registry in recent years. These include the introduction of electronic registration certificates for Malta-flagged vessels, as well as the continued development of digital services for seafarers and Registry clients.
This step is particularly significant for seafarers, whose work is inherently international. Once issued, the Digital Seaman's Record Book is made available directly to the seafarer through a digital wallet. This provides immediate access without the delays and risks associated with sending physical documents by post to seafarers working or travelling outside Malta.The digital solution also enables seafarers to enter details of their sea service and submit them for authentication by the Master or other authorised officials, as applicable.
The Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, Dr Ivan Tabone, said that the initiative represents a further step in the Registry's wider programme of modernisation."The Malta Ship Registry serves an international industry, and our services must reflect that
reality. A seafarer should not have to depend on the physical delivery of an important professional document while moving between vessels, ports and countries. The Digital Seaman's Record Book Authority for Transport in Malta set up by Act XV of 2009 4
gives the individual secure and direct access to that document and provides a more practical
means of maintaining and authenticating their sea-service records," reiterated Dr Tabone.
The solution provides each seafarer with a personal digital wallet following identity verification and incorporates secure digital credentials. The supporting infrastructure and service have been designed around relevant international maritime and information-security standards.
Applications will continue to be submitted online through the Merchant Shipping Directorate's Seafarer Portal. Seafarers whose applications have been successfully processed will be notified to register for their digital wallet and access their Digital Seaman's Record Book through it.
The Digital Seaman's Record Book is available to seafarers engaged, or due to be engaged, on commercial vessels registered under Malta's Merchant Shipping Act, as well as Maltese nationals and holders of Maltese Certificates of Competency.
The initiative forms part of the Malta Ship Registry's continuing programme to modernise its services, reduce reliance on paper-based processes and provide secure, accessible digital services to a global maritime community.