The world we live in has been digitally transformed and the post-pandemic era has simply accelerated the digital trend. With ever increasing technology advancements, innovations, and new tools at the ready, several segments of the global maritime industry have digitalised their operations and services. The Malta Ship Registry is no exception.

Locally, in alignment with the Maltese and EU digital strategies, the Authority for Transport in Malta has taken on the challenge to digitalise the entirety of its operations, aiming to improve its services, modernise its systems and essentially keep up with the current climate. At the outset, the Malta Ship Registry within the Merchant Shipping Directorate (MSD) shall be the first to benefit from a whole digital transformation as part of a project funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The MSD has been gradually digitalising its processes, and in line with such objective, recently rolled out the Seafarer Portal for STCW crew endorsement applications and seaman books. This is a web-application tool which was created to minimise the manual data workload and create greater efficiency by streamlining the overall seafarer certification process.

To continue this ongoing digitalisation project, earlier this year in July 2022, the MSD launched a preliminary market consultation open to all interested persons and economic operators on the market, for information which would assist the MSD with finalising its scope of work and list of technical requirements necessary for the development and implementation of a Vessel Management System (VMS). We expect a tender for the provision of the VMS to be published in the coming months.

The intention is for the VMS to develop and expand upon the currently existing functions of the Fleet Management System, which is the electronic register presently adopted by the MSD. The VMS shall focus on the management of data and information stored and ensure that the various processes that take place by the different departments within the MSD are done in an efficient manner. The VMS is formed of several sub-components of management including the vessel’s registry, technical, safety, security matters, flag state control inspections on Maltese flagged vessels and port state control inspections on non-Maltese vessels, as well as radio management. There is a minimum set of criteria which the VMS must satisfy, and the varying technical details and customisations have been presented in the preliminary market consultation document which may be found on the Government Procurement Portal online.

In parallel with the technical and functional requirements to be delivered, the digital platform needs, amongst other attributes, to be reliable and secure. As the largest ship registry in Europe and one of the top maritime registries worldwide, the MSD needs a framework that will allow it to manage processes and information as quickly and efficiently as possible whilst also guaranteeing that the highest standards of regulatory compliance are maintained. As the amount of registered tonnage continues to increase, the system must be smart and streamlined.

This ongoing digital upgrade shall allow the Maltese Flag Registry to remain competitive with its counterparts within the global maritime forum and responsive to the expectations of vessel owners, managers, and operators in what has become a very digital world. At time of writing, the period for written submissions in response to the Preliminary Market Consultation through the appropriate channels have closed and the notification of tender publication date is pending. We will follow developments closely as they unfold.

How can we help?

Should you require any further information or assistance on the matter, please do not hesitate to reach out to us personally on stephanie.farrugia@fenechmarine.com

©Fenech & Fenech Advocates 2022

Disclaimer │ The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information, content, and materials available are for general informational purposes only.  This article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information and you are advised to seek updated advice.