Enhancing the BMA's ship registry solution

PDMS has significantly enhanced our ship registry software BORIS for our long-standing client, the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA). 

The developments mean that companies registering for this service will be able to digitally access many of the services offered by the BMA. These services include check and reserve a vessel name, complete registration application and certificate verification.  This capability will complement the existing online seafarer services that provide the ability to pay an invoice, download system-generated documents, monitor progress and track seafarer applications.

A major benefit to users is that the enhanced system avoids the need to repeatedly enter ship data when completing registration forms as vessel details only need to be entered once.  This, combined with an improved user interface, will represent increased business efficiency and significant time and cost savings for clients during the registration process.  

Dwain Hutchinson, Managing Director and CEO of The BMA, said:

'Shipping is embracing the digital age and, as a progressive and customer focused Flag administration, The BMA will continue to remain at the forefront of reviewing and implementing appropriate new technology tools to enhance our stakeholder and client engagement.

I would like to thank the team at PDMS who have worked so hard with us, even throughout lockdown, to get these enhancements built, tested and live. The changes reflect the changing nature of the world of shipping  and will help The BMA stay at the forefront of global ship registries.' 

Catriona Watt, Head of Business Development commented:

"The enhancements made to BORIS are just the beginning of the work which we will be completing for BMA to enhance their online services offer."

“The launch of the new enhancements to BORIS is a significant and progressive step for the BMA.  With the rapid increase in business transactions conducted with online assistance during the past several months, it is an appropriate time to launch our Online Vessel Registration System.  We work closely with our clients and stakeholders of the BMA family and the system was designed to ensure we meet their needs.  The registration process is simplified and, with the user-friendly design of the system, we believe our clients will welcome the results of Phase One of this innovative online service,” said Carolyn Moree, Registrar and Deputy Director of The BMA.

Project Manager Hannah Phillips added:

'Working with the BMA has been an extremely enjoyable project. We worked using an agile approach, which saw us working closely with the team, meeting regularly, reviewing new software components and re-iterating the project plan."

By integrating with the existing application, it has provided an upgrade path to transform the legacy user interface using the latest technology, bringing their solution into 2020. Taking this approach meant that the BMA retained their investment in the existing business logic and benefited from what the Single Page Application technology has to offer. Some of these being an overall faster and sleeker application, responsive on a huge range of devices, allows much more flexibility on the look and feel they want to provide to their clients and more.

Find out more about our work with the BMA in our case study