Dualog Launches Secure Messaging For Ship And Shore

Dualog has introduced Dualog Chat, a secure messaging platform tailored for the shipping industry. This service, which is the first of its kind within Dualog's Workspace offering, facilitates communication between crew members and shore teams. Channels in Chat are organized by vessel, rank, and role, ensuring that information is readily accessible and easily managed.

A significant challenge in maritime communication was highlighted by a 2026 Dualog survey of 1,187 seafarers, which revealed that 68% of respondents felt important information is often lost during crew handovers. Many seafarers have resorted to personal messaging apps to communicate with the office, as there was no official channel available to the entire crew. Chat addresses this issue by providing a unified platform that integrates on-board and ship-to-shore communication.

The platform maintains users' secure identities without shared logins, ensuring that all communication is traceable and adheres to the unique identity and controlled access requirements mandated by IMO and IACS. This feature helps retain the context of communications, which is crucial for effective decision-making. For instance, shore teams can instantly reach all members of a specific rank across the fleet with a single message, or communicate directly with individuals.

Additionally, message histories are retained with the role, providing officers with immediate access to the necessary context upon signing on. Shore teams can also share operational conversations, sensitive information, and the rationale behind decisions within this company-controlled environment, reducing the dependence on personal messaging accounts. This centralized approach to information management minimizes the risk of losing vital details such as rates and port instructions.

Integration with existing crew management systems ensures that access is automatically updated as crew members rotate, streamlining the onboarding and offboarding processes. Fleets that already utilize Dualog crew accounts can quickly adopt Chat. The messaging service is accessible via web, iOS, and Android platforms and is specifically designed to meet the needs of maritime connectivity.

Silje Moan, Dualog's Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized that Dualog Chat connects people in a manner consistent with the operational nature of the shipping industry. By organizing communication around vessels, ranks, and rotational patterns, it aids in the retention of context through crew handovers and ensures that shore teams can efficiently locate the appropriate personnel. The essence of the company's information remains securely within its control.

Chat is currently available for early access, with additional services such as file sharing, maritime email, and a native AI assistant slated for future release within Dualog's Workspace.