The 37th Session of the IMO Facilitation Committee held last week, discussed the possibility of introducing online certification checks by coastal authorities during port state control inspection of ships. Such move is backed by foremost classification societies and will serve as the initial gateway to replace on-board paper documentation, the absence of which is often the culprit for ship detention in port state control inspection, to online certification of ships.
The ultimate goal is to permit coastal authorities to gain access to and confirm statutory ship certification online. It is an attempt to cater for greater transparency in the maritime industry while undoubtedly provide a more competent and effective electronic clearance of ships at port.
Development in such area will involve security issues and the introduction of digital signatures in order to validate the authenticity of certification with the hope that one day this will all lead to the conception of a centralized electronic certification database.
The International Association of Classification Societies shall play an essential role in future discussions given that its members comprise approved recognized organizations which in turn act as the major source of ship certification for flag states.
