THE certifications ensure a ship meets all operational requirements and complies with international maritime laws. Every voyage demands numerous certificates for ships, crew, and equipment. Tracking and renewing those certificates manually takes up a considerable amount of time and increases risk for a business.

Each ship navigates a unique sea of required documents, shaped by its type, flag, trading pattern and classification society. Common certificates include the International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC), the Document of Compliance (DOC), the Safety Management Certificate (SMC), and various crew certificates.

As the industry embraces digital transformation and regulations tighten, relying on spreadsheets or emails for manual tracking increases risk. Minor oversights can trigger expensive problems like detentions, hefty fines, or lost charter opportunities. This is where digital tools like the certificate management module from OpenOcean STUDIO step in.

A smarter approach to vessel certificate management

90POE developed OpenOcean STUDIO to provide a smart, innovative and secure platform to support all maritime operational requirements. Its certificate management tool offers a centralised repository for all documents, automating, monitoring and tracking the renewal process. Built with an individual business’s needs in mind, it is also possible to calibrate certificates to align with the company’s policies, such as a company matrix, ensuring external regulations and internal standards are met.

Beyond simply fulfilling regulatory requirements, the tool can set higher company benchmarks — for example ensuring specific vessels have a certain number of crew with certifications, even if not mandated by external bodies. Such a proactive approach offers a superior level of operational excellence.

Forming part of the wider OpenOcean STUDIO platform, certificate manager is cohesively linked to onRADAR, an intuitive dashboard for automated alerts and task management, which proactively flags upcoming expiries or missing documents. Critical alerts are sent ahead of issues arising, helping to ensure everything remains up to date based on each vessel’s specific regulatory and operational profile.

Minimise risk, maximise control

Certificate errors are not merely paperwork problems; they directly impact a vessel’s schedule and earnings. Missing or expired certificates can lead to vessel delays, rejected port calls, and even costly penalties or detentions.

OpenOcean STUDIO securely stores certificate data which is made easily accessible to authorised users. Documents can be uploaded, reviewed, and shared as needed, supporting routine operational checks and formal regulatory reviews. This enhanced visibility not only boosts compliance but also saves time and effort during inspections, reducing disruption for both crew and shore teams.

Certification, like many maritime operations, is undergoing a profound shift. What was once a manual, vessel-by-vessel chore is now an integral part of shipping’s broader digital transformation. The ability to prevent certificate issues before they arise, and to manage them efficiently when they do, is rapidly becoming a core requirement for modern fleet management.

With tighter margins, growing regulatory complexity, and rising expectations around operational transparency, the cost of inaction is steadily increasing. OpenOcean STUDIO’s certificate management module offers a timely solution, automating where necessary and adapting where it matters most.