BMA partners with IDsure to introduce Digital Seafarer Record Books and Competency Certificates

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), one of the world’s leading flag states, has entered into a strategic partnership with IDsure, a digital credential platform, to enable the secure issuance of digital Seafarer Record Books and Competency Certificates.

This collaboration marks a significant step in the BMA’s ongoing digital transformation, enhancing efficiency, transparency, reducing its environmental footprint and security across the certification process for seafarers, ship managers, and training institutions.

Transforming Seafarer Services

Under the partnership, all issuance of Seafarer Record Books and related competency certificates will be handled through BMA’s existing online system (BORIS) and will be connected directly to IDsure’s secure identity-verification and credential platform.

Once a seafarer has been verified via the IDsure App, their digital Seafarer Record Book and certificates will be available instantly through their personal account. This eliminates delays, manual uploads, and paper-based procedures, offering a faster and more secure process for both seafarers and employers.

Ship and crew managers will also benefit from a simplified workflow: once the BMA approves an application, digital credentials can be issued without requiring additional passport photos or signatures.

Enhancing Oversight and Quality Assurance

The new integration also extends to BMA-approved training centres. With approximately 35 approved centres audited every five years, and thousands of Seafarer Record Books and certificates issued annually, the new connection between the BMA and these centres will enable automatic data exchange.

When an approved and connected training centre issues a certificate via IDsure, the BMA will immediately receive it at the authority level through BORIS. This capability provides stronger regulatory oversight and delivers significant value to training providers and the entire maritime community.

Commitment to Innovation and Service

“The Bahamas Maritime Authority is committed to continuous improvement and the responsible use of technology to enhance the services we provide to our seafarers and industry partners,” said Capt. Kapila Malawwethanthri, Deputy Director, Seafarers & Manning Department, BMA.

“Through this partnership with IDsure, we are strengthening our digital infrastructure and ensuring that our clients benefit from faster processes, secure verification, and a seamless digital experience.”

Integration between the BMA’s BORIS system and the IDsure platform is well underway and progressing as planned. The BMA has begun informing ship-owners, ship managers, and training institutions about the forthcoming digital issuance process, which will soon be available across its network.

“We will issue a further announcement when the new digital service is fully launched and available online within BORIS.”

About IDsure

IDsure is a secure digital identity and credentialing platform designed for regulated industries. By connecting authorities, training providers, and individuals through a trusted digital framework, IDsure simplifies the issuance and verification of official records, including certificates, licenses, and identification documents. For more information, visit www.idsure.io.

About the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA)

The BMA registers vessels, enforces international shipboard standards, and oversees the welfare and certification of seafarers serving on Bahamas-flagged ships. With offices in Nassau, New York, London, Pireaus, Tokyo and Hong Kong, the BMA team works closely with the global maritime industry to ensure regulatory compliance, and shipboard excellence across all operations. For more information, visit www.bahamasmaritime.com.

More Information:

Leah Davis
Marketing Manager
The Bahamas Maritime Authority
+1 242 427 6560 (mobile)
[email protected]