SITA and IDsure Launch Digital Identity Pilot for Maritime Sector with Columbia Shipmanagement

Mar 24: SITA, a global leader in transport communications and IT, in partnership with IDsure, has launched a Digital Travel-enabled identity pilot for the maritime sector with Columbia Shipmanagement, bringing aviation-grade identity verification to seafarers.

The pilot digitalizes professional certificates for ship crews, storing verified credentials in a digital Seafarer Handbook, replacing traditional paper documents and manual checks. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed in minutes, reducing administrative burden for crews and operators.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority has also partnered with IDsure to introduce digital seafarer record books and competency certificates, signaling growing adoption of secure digital identity solutions among flag states. Seafarers’ credentials are stored securely on mobile devices through a GDPR-compliant app, allowing instant verification while keeping personal data under their control.

Pedro Alves, Senior Vice President at SITA, said:

“By extending trusted digital identity to the maritime sector, crew identities can be checked instantly and safely wherever they travel, reducing delays and easing administrative burden. This is a model for how digital identity can connect the world, safely and seamlessly.”

Jesper Holmgren, CEO at IDsure, added:

“This pilot replaces fragmented, paper-based processes with a secure, verifiable digital approach for global shipping. It’s a practical step toward modernizing certification and compliance.”

The pilot, initially for bridge officers, is part of the SmartSea strategy, aiming to bring digital maturity similar to aviation to maritime operations, improving efficiency, trust, and compliance for the industry employing over two million seafarers worldwide.