Maritime Passport previews ‘Gold Standard’ digital identity solution for seafarers at IMO FAL 50
Maritime Passport presented Member States at the IMO’s latest session of the Facilitation Committee (FAL 50) with a preview of its upcoming digital identity solution for seafarers. The government-grade technology will establish the world's first truly digital passport for seafarers and empower Flag States around the world to maintain the security of their national waters.
“The maritime sector is accelerating its digital capabilities and we are on the cusp of a digital strategy approved by the IMO. As an ex-seafarer myself, I believe that this digital wave must also buoy up our crew,” said Maritime Passport co-founder Martin White (pictured, centre). “Our solution - which is free for seafarers to use - will cut through the high administrative burden of finding, collating and sharing personal professional credentials, certifications and other relevant details to prove work eligibility. Our highly secure intuitive app makes this information available to Flag States, potential employers and other relevant stakeholders at the touch of a button.”
Invited to FAL 50 by the Bahamas Maritime Authority, the Maritime Passport team presented their solution to international delegates in the plenary hall and demonstrated the ease with which Flag States could integrate the platform into their operations to deliver not just quicker verification of professional credentials but also cost savings. Designed to connect operations across 193 countries, the Maritime Passport platform significantly reduces the administrative onus without introducing new risk.
“Our solution is built on global identification standards that are already well established in other sectors,” said Marcel Wendt (left), CTO for Maritime Passport. “Unlike some other offerings that aggregate or commercialise seafarer data, Maritime Passport is fundamentally a neutral digital technology layer which can work in harmony with existing certification, record keeping and identity verification frameworks at Flag States. Our system is designed to be the intersection of cutting edge technology, compliance and seafarer credentials, with gold-standard security at its heart.”
The presentation at FAL 50 underscored a pressing consensus that digital trust is the absolute foundation of modern maritime safety. This critical focus was reflected not only in the enthusiastic response regarding Maritime Passport’s real-world applications but also throughout the wider discussions taking place in the plenary sessions.
“We were truly honoured to be at FAL 50 and share our vision for a safer, more connected maritime community. By providing seafarers with a seamless digital pathway to manage their identity, for shipowners to confirm certification and skills, and equipping Flag States to verify credentials instantly, we are building a foundation of digital trust at the very heart of the global supply chain,” said Peter Phillips (right), Maritime Passport co-founder.
The Maritime Passport digital wallet will be available for individual Flag States to customise to their existing certification infrastructure in Q2, 2026. It sets a new global ‘gold standard’ for secure, digital identity verification in the maritime industry.