IRClass starts issuing e-certificates

The e-Certificates comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines for the use of e-Certificates and are available on the IRClass website through a secure platform – giving ship owners, regulators and charterers real-time access to the latest class and statutory certificates from anywhere in the world, IRClass said in a press release.

Other class societies such as ClassNK, DNV GL, ABS and Bureau Veritas had already started issuing e-certificates since last year.

The e-Certificates are incorporated with a digital signature and a unique tracking number for online verification purposes. This allows the user to determine the validity of the certificates – to ensure that they have not been falsified or tampered with. The authenticity, originality and traceability of the e-Certificates are easily verifiable through the IRClass Verification Portal, with access made available for any stakeholder who wishes to confirm the information contained in the e-Certificates.

Read More: DNV GL issues more than 50,000 e-certificates

Commenting on this initiative, IRClass joint md Vijay Arora said: “The implementation of IRClass e-Certificates are expected to reduce administrative burden and document handling costs for ship owners, coupled with increasing operational efficiency.”

He added: “We have started issuing e-Certificates (provided the flag state has approved its use) to all newbuilding vessels on delivery as well as existing vessels on completion of their upcoming renewal survey.”

Arora concluded: “As a classification society focused on driving the maritime industry forward, we are looking towards stepping up on our digitalisation efforts in various other areas in the near future – as technological advancements continue to transform the industry at a rapid pace.”