SICPA announced the start of a proof-of-concept trial featuring “CERTUS myHealth Pass,” a technology-based solution for maritime crew changes. 

The trial is in partnership with maritime non-profit Hong Kong Registered Crew Assist Ltd and addresses travel restrictions which are currently impacting almost half a million seafarers with shipowners unable to facilitate crew changes at many ports. 

Governments have questioned the validity of COVID-19 tests as seafarers have been left stranded on board their ships for months after their scheduled sign-off dates. 

Despite a growing chorus of concern from ship operators, the delayed sign-offs are hurting the mental wellbeing of seafarers onboard and onshore. 

Regulatory bodies and government agencies that question the authenticity of paper documents are preventing seafarers from disembarking their vessels and blocking potential replacements from traveling to board ships.

“CERTUS myHealth Pass” solves this issue by validating digital documents through SICPA’s existing and widely accepted solution, CERTUS. 

As a key enabling technology, SICPA’s CERTUS authenticates both paper-based and digital critical information. 

The solution will be used to issue, and secure WHO-approved COVID-19 test results, guaranteeing their authenticity. Seafarers will be able to carry their authenticated digital health pass via their smartphone. 

The trial is supported by the shipping industry, including the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) of employers, and seafarers themselves through the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). 

The three representative bodies have been working together to support the development of technology and techniques which help resolve the present crew change crisis. 

The initial trial will be conducted both in Singapore and the Philippines, home to the largest pool of seafarers in the world. If the proof-of-concept trial succeeds, then Filipino seafarers using “CERTUS myHealth Pass” will overcome one major obstacle preventing them from disembarking and traveling overseas to connect with ships for boarding. A successful trial will also allow expansion to different countries. 

“SICPA and its partners are committed to working with government agencies, companies, and other organizations to provide network security and ensure the reliability of sensitive data,” SICPA Regional Managing Director of Marking Security Solutions in Asia Alain Augsburger said. “We are keenly aware of the challenges facing the world’s seafarers and are excited to work with Crew Assist to offer a solution in line with SICPA’s motto of 'Enabling Trust,' protecting seafarers private information while providing governments with a trustworthy way to verify and identify any abnormalities that may prevent the free passage of seafarers.” 

The trial will include two Singapore-based shipping companies, Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), a leading operator with 5,000 seafarers, and Thome Group, a fully integrated ship management company with 7,000 seafarers. 

The trial is scheduled to start on Sept. 1, 2020.