The Maritime Industry Authority of the Philippines (MARINA), a government agency under the Department of Transportation, has announced it will be utilizing blockchain technology for seafarer certification. MARINA is responsible for integrating the development, promotion, and regulation of the maritime industry in the Philippines.

As reported by BitPinas, the maritime authority signed the agreement with blockchain solutions provider Navozyme to facilitate better exchange of data between the agency and its stakeholders in the seafaring industry. According to Navozyme, certification issuance will be enabled using “digitally secured maritime certifications” backed by blockchain on the Navozyme Crew Authentication Platform (NCAP).

Patricia Fernandez, Philippines country lead for Navozyme, said NCAP is designed for “real-time exchange of certificate-related information” to help eliminate fake certificate issuances, strengthening the reputation of the country’s maritime industry. Additionally, the firm has been working closely with other maritime organizations, such as the Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, for pilot testing.

Navozyme has also piloted its platform in other nations, such as in the UK, where the company developed the Blockchain for Maritime Decisionmakers workshop. NCAP is one of two initiatives pursued by Navzoyme, the other being Navozyme Maritime Authentication Platform (NMAP), which is designed for shipowners, managers, and port authorities handling port clearance processing.

While only accounting for 3% of the total overseas Filipino worker (OFW) demographic, Maritime Overseas Filipino Workers represent 15% of OFW remittances to the Philippines. However, one of the main challenges has been documentation, for which blockchain is viewed as a panacea for its ability to verify certificates and clearances without the usual time-consuming processes involving checks and balances.

Source: bitpinas.com