4/22 – Digital Logbook

In April 2022, the German Flag approved software from two manufacturers for electronic record books. The approved software includes the electronic record book “Anschütz eLog” from the Kiel-based company Raytheon Anschütz GmbH and the ship and engine logbook “Searecs” from the Rostock-based company MARSIG. Shipping companies can use this software on board their German-flagged seagoing vessels to replace the traditional paper logbook.

In granting approval, the German Flag deliberately adheres to the international technical specifications ISO 21745 and the IMO resolutions MEPC.312(74) and MEPC.372(80) – there are therefore no special German standards. Approval is granted by the Ship Safety Division of BG Verkehr; technical inspection is carried out by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) or a recognized classification society.

The approval process allows for the entire range of record books to be maintained in digital form as well:

• Ship’s logbooks with the bridge maintenance logbook as an ancillary logbook,
• Engine logbooks with the sounding book and bell book as ancillary logbooks,
• MARPOL record books regarding environmental protection, with the oil record book, cargo record book and garbage record book as the most important record books,
• ballast water record books, and
• medical record books (patients' register, narcotics logbook).

In addition to product-specific approval, shipping companies may, if they wish, also apply to BG Verkehr for vessel-specific approval of MARPOL and ballast water record books. Such additional approvals are expressly provided for in the resolutions MEPC.312(74) and MEPC.372(80), respectively, of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee. Upon request, BG Verkehr issues an approval for the respective vessel – naturally in the form of an e-certificate.