Dualog launches secure messaging for ship and shore

Digital solutions provider Dualog has launched Dualog Chat, a secure messaging service built for shipping. The first service in Workspace by Dualog, Chat gives crews and shore teams a company-controlled space to communicate, with channels organised by vessel, rank and role. Every user has a secure identity, with no shared logins.

Communication at sea is often fragmented. In a 2026 Dualog survey of 1,187 seafarers, 68% said important information is lost during crew handovers. Many rely on personal messaging apps to contact the office because there is no official channel available to the whole crew. Chat addresses this gap while running alongside the tools companies already use ashore.

For crew, Chat brings onboard and ship-to-shore communication into one place. Message histories stay with the role, giving officers signing on immediate access to the context they need. Shore teams can reach everyone in a particular rank across the fleet with a single message, or contact an individual directly. Users can exchange messages and voice notes and make audio and video calls over the connections available at sea.

For shore teams, operational conversations, sensitive information and the context behind decisions remain within a company-controlled platform. Details such as rates and port instructions are retained centrally, reducing reliance on personal messaging accounts.

Integration with crew management systems automatically updates access as crews rotate, reducing manual onboarding and offboarding. Fleets already using Dualog crew accounts can get started quickly. Individual user identities make communication traceable and support the unique identity and controlled access requirements set out by IMO and IACS.

“Dualog Chat connects people in a way that reflects how shipping operates,” said Silje Moan, Chief Commercial Officer at Dualog. “By organising communication around the vessel, the rank and the rotation, it helps crews retain context through each handover and shore teams reach the right person. The information that matters stays within the company.”

Chat is available on web, iOS and Android and is designed for maritime connectivity. Early access is open now. Further services planned for Workspace by Dualog include file sharing, maritime email and a native AI assistant.