Digital tools for seafarers, developed with seafarers

Involving the people actually operating ships is imperative for digitalisation to be impactful

 By Esa Henttinen

As the shipping industry moves toward cleaner fuels and new propulsion technologies, the biggest changes are not just happening in boardrooms, they’re happening onboard. Seafarers are at the heart of shipping’s energy transition but, as a result, face a changing workload and frequent new challenges.

A recent survey by the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) confirmed that the unprecedented changes brought about by the energy transition are already impacting seafarer fatigue and stress.

The survey reported that over half of the 400 respondents from 29 nations had experienced an increase in workload, one third stated they feared potential criminalisation for failing to complete increasingly complex reporting requirements, and 44% of respondents reported an increase in stress, with a similar percentage also reporting higher levels of fatigue.

These survey results come alongside a concerning increase in casualties for crew working in enclosed spaces. According to an InterManager report, although the frequency of accidents remained fairly constant, 55% of accidents in the past 28 years have happened during planned work, with many incidents concentrated in high-risk areas like oil tanks and holds. This work being pre-planned should reduce the risk of accidents, but this is not the case.

This concerning trend is a clear indication that the current ‘permit to work’ processes are not fit for purpose. Traditionally, these hazardous tasks have been planned and managed through a web of manual checklists and paperwork prone to delays, oversight and misunderstandings.

Digitalisation must be done right

By digitalising the permit-to-work process, we can dramatically reduce the chances of human error, potentially preventing accidents before they occur. These digital permits help ensure every step of the process is completed correctly and provide real-time visibility of high-risk tasks for both crews onboard and shoreside teams.

However, too often, new digital tools are introduced without proper consultation with the people expected to use them. That’s why, when we developed our Permit to Work system, seafarers were involved from the very start. Crews from companies like Carnival Cruise Lines and Virgin Voyages contributed to the process, helping identify where the current systems weren’t working and how digital tools could help.

The result is digital tools designed around how work is really done on ships. Instead of chasing signatures or relying on disconnected forms, crews can follow a clear, digital process that’s faster, safer, and easier to track. By involving seafarers directly in development, the system fits into daily operations rather than adding to the administrative overload.

Another major challenge for crews is the increasing volume of environmental data reporting required. Regulations like FuelEU Maritime, EU MRV, and IMO DCS demand detailed, verified data – often requiring seafarers to spend more time behind a computer than on the deck.

Here too, when developed and implemented properly, digital tools can help. NAPA’s electronic logbook, for example, was developed with input from seafarers and class societies. It allows data to be uploaded automatically to verification portals like DNV, cutting down on manual entries and reducing errors. Shipping company Anthony Veder reported a 14% reduction in administration time and saved around 2,000 hours per vessel each year after adopting the system.

The bottom line is, as shipping adapts to new environmental standards, digitalisation will be key. However, for digital tools to be impactful, they must be shaped by the people using them. That means listening to seafarers, involving crew in decisions, and building systems that reflect the realities of life at sea.

Esa Henttinen is executive vice president for safety solutions at NAPA.