Digitalising seafarer credentials sounds straightforward, but replacing paper certificates with PDFs only solves part of the problem. In this episode of UnDocked, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris discuss new Thetius research into making crew qualifications more secure, interoperable and seafarer-friendly. They also cover Baltic maritime surveillance, GPS spoofing, a potential solution to shipping's 'sail fast and wait' problem and robotic hull cleaning.

CHAPTERS

• 05:52 – Thetius report: digital seafarer credentials
• 10:44 – Why scanned PDFs aren't enough
• 16:00 – The risks of paper certificates
• 21:44 – Creating a fake certificate with AI in 11 minutes
• 23:56 – Building trust in digital credentials
• 30:26 – Offline verification and interoperability
• 34:04 – Industry standards, seafarer rights and who pays
• 43:23 – Mysterious surveillance cameras in the Baltic
• 47:00 – Windward acquires Azimut AI
• 53:45 – GPS spoofing and navigational resilience
• 01:01:33 – StormGeo buys Portchain: fixing 'sail fast and wait'?
• 01:08:36 – Can MAGNETO clean your bottom?

Nick and Raal begin with Securing Trust: The Transition to Digital Seafarer Credentials, new research from Thetius commissioned by Maritime Passport.

The report examines how shipping can move beyond fragmented paper-based certification towards a system that allows qualifications to be securely issued, held and independently verified.

Nick recounts the experience of a master mariner carrying 4kg of certificates and demonstrates how he created a convincing fake training certificate using AI in just 11 minutes.

They discuss the importance of common standards, protecting personal information, offline verification and ensuring seafarers retain control over their credentials without having to pay for access to their right to work.

The conversation then moves to an unusual story from the Danish island of Bornholm, where a mysterious request to install coastal surveillance cameras eventually leads to Windward's acquisition of Azimut AI. Nick explains how computer vision could help track vessels operating without AIS.

Raal raises concerns about GPS interference, prompting a discussion about the vulnerability of interconnected bridge systems and whether traditional navigation skills, including celestial navigation, deserve renewed attention.

Next, StormGeo's acquisition of Portchain offers a potential route towards better coordination between vessel arrivals and terminal availability, tackling the persistent inefficiency of ships sailing at speed only to wait outside port.

Finally, Cargill's partnership with Neptune Robotics brings robotic hull cleaning into focus, with Nick and Raal considering the opportunities for safer maintenance and improved vessel efficiency.

Read the Thetius report:
https://thetius.com/securing-trust-the-transition-to-digital-seafarer-credentials/

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This episode is sponsored by Insight.

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