Our Story

We know maritime. We know identity.
We built the bridge between them.

Pioneering the Future of Maritime Identity

Maritime Passport was founded by people who had spent careers in maritime operations and digital identity. We kept asking the same question: why does an industry this critical still rely on paper to prove who is qualified to be at sea?

By 2021, the technology to fix that had finally matured. We founded Maritime Passport to apply it to maritime. Not to build something new from scratch, but to connect what already works to an industry that needs it.

We are not selling a concept. We are deploying a platform.

Why Us?

Deep maritime expertise

Decades of combined experience in maritime operations, regulation, and crew management.

Global governance track record

Proven experience working with governments and regulatory bodies across multiple jurisdictions.

Identity infrastructure leaders

Our technology partner Digidentity has been trusted by national governments since 2008.

History

Our Journey

2008

Digidentity founded

The identity infrastructure that will later underpin Maritime Passport, trusted by the Dutch and UK governments.

2010

ILO C.185 updated

The ILO updates its Seafarer Identity Documents convention, laying the groundwork for biometric and digital seafarer ID.

2016

eIDAS enters into force

The EU establishes its framework for qualified electronic signatures — giving legally binding weight to digital credentials across Europe.

2021

The Vision

Maritime Passport was conceived with a bold vision: to create the world's first true digital passport for seafarers. The journey began, identifying key pain points in maritime identity verification.

2022

Building the foundations

Strategic partnerships formed with leading technology providers and maritime organisations. First prototype developed with focus on security standards and regulatory compliance frameworks.

2023

Technology maturity

Platform architecture finalised leveraging government-grade infrastructure. ISO, eIDAS, and GDPR compliance frameworks integrated. Initial pilot programmes launched with select maritime partners.

2024

Maritime Single Window

IMO makes digital information exchange between ships and ports mandatory — accelerating the shift away from paper-based processes.

Jan 2025

Digital STCW certificates

IMO amendments MSC.540(107) and MSC.541(107) enter into force. Digital certificates now carry the same legal standing as paper.

2025

Market ready

Full commercial launch preparation complete. Platform now supports 193 countries with proven security infrastructure. Ready to transform maritime identity verification globally.

2026

IMO Maritime Digitalisation Strategy

At FAL 50, the IMO makes digital credentials a formal priority across all its bodies — full adoption targeted at the 2027 Assembly.

2026+

Growing with the industry

Expanding flag state partnerships as the regulatory tide turns and the industry's adoption accelerates.

Purpose

Our Mission

To create a secure, seamless digital identity ecosystem for the global maritime industry.

Security First

Building trust through government-grade security standards and compliance with international regulations.

Built for maritime

Not a generic platform adapted for ships. Designed from the ground up around STCW, IMO, MLC, and flag state workflows.

Always compliant

The platform keeps pace with regulatory change. When standards evolve, so do we. Without disruption to existing operations.

Maritime Team

Visionaries who saw the potential to transform maritime identity

Martin White

Martin White

CEO

Peter Phillips

Peter Phillips

CCO

Marcel Wendt

Marcel Wendt

CTO

Dick Dekkers

Dick Dekkers

CCO

Basak Akdemir

Basak Akdemir

Strategic Advisor

Maritime Passport

Join Us in Transforming Maritime Identity

Partner with us to bring secure, digital identity solutions to the maritime industry