Maritime transactions rarely happen between people sitting in the same room. A buyer in Singapore, a seller in Monaco, a broker in the Netherlands, and a sale agreement that needs to be signed by all three. Digital contract signing removes the friction from that process entirely.
The Digital Contract Signing tool within NaviDesk is powered by Autenti eSign Studio, a European, eIDAS-compliant signing platform. You upload your document, specify who needs to sign and in what order, and the platform handles the rest. Each signatory receives a link, verifies their identity, and signs from any device, anywhere in the world. The signed document is returned to you immediately, with a full audit trail and a legally valid signature.
Legal validity
Is a digitally signed contract actually valid? Yes, and here is why.
An advanced electronic signature, as applied by Autenti, carries the same legal standing as a handwritten signature. Under Dutch law and the eIDAS regulation, the signature is presumed valid, if someone claims the signature is not genuine, the burden of proof is on them, not on you.
Legal validity rests on four points. All four are addressed by the Autenti platform:
| Can the document be changed after signing? | No, any change invalidates the signature automatically. |
| Is the time of signing independently established? | Yes, a trusted timestamp is embedded in the signed document. |
| Is the identity of each signatory sufficiently established? | Yes, via email, IP address, SMS, iDIN, identity document check, or other methods depending on the verification level chosen. |
| Is the intent to sign clearly established? | Yes, through an explicit signing action (a scribble or a clear consent step), the intent is far more clearly documented than, for example, a checkbox or a but ton click. |
There are three types of electronic signature under eIDAS: the standard electronic signature, the advanced electronic signature, and the qualified electronic signature. Autenti supports all three within a single platform: Simple (SES) for routine documents, Advanced (AES) for higher-value transactions — legally equivalent to a handwritten signature for most commercial documents — and Qualified (QES) for situations requiring the highest level of assurance, such as notarial or accountancy documents.
In practice for maritime documents: Sale agreements, Memoranda of Agreement, charter party contracts, management agreements, and berthing contracts all fall within the category of private deeds, which are fully eligible for an advanced electronic signature. No special form is prescribed by law for these documents, which means a digitally signed copy is as valid as a wet-ink original.
Verification levels
How the identity of each signatory is confirmed, and which level is right for your document.
Before a document is signed, the identity of each signatory is verified. The level of verification can be chosen to match the risk profile and value of the transaction. A higher-value transaction – or one involving unknown counterparties – warrants a stronger verification method. For most routine maritime commercial contracts, a standard or advanced level is sufficient.
Qualified verification
The highest level of assurance under eIDAS. Required for certain regulated documents, such as those in notarial or accountancy contexts. For standard maritime commercial contracts this level is rarely necessary.
Methods available
- Video, selfie, or online banking verification: identity is confirmed before a one-off Qualified signature is issued — always legally equivalent to a handwritten signature under eIDAS.
- 23+ qualified providers: Autenti is integrated with more than 23 qualified trust service providers across the EU, so the right provider can be matched to the signatory’s country.
Standard verification
Suitable for most routine contracts and commercial agreements where the parties are known to each other or where the transaction value is moderate.
Methods available
- Consent: the signatory clicks an explicit “Sign” button, confirming their intent to sign.
- Scribble: the signatory types their name and draws a scribble, documenting their identity and intent.
Advanced verification
For higher-value transactions or situations where a stronger proof of identity is required, such as vessel purchases, management agreements, or contracts with parties you have not previously dealt with.
Methods available
- SMS one-time password: a one-time code is sent to the signatory’s registered mobile number, which must be entered before signing — a verified link between the signature and a personal device.
Not sure which verification level is right for your documents? Do get in touch, we will advise based on the type of contract, the transaction value, and the parties involved.
How it works
The signing process from document upload to signed copy in your hands.
Upload your document
You upload the contract, agreement, or declaration through the Autenti platform. The document stays in its original format, no reformatting or conversion required.
Add your signatories and choose a verification level
You specify who needs to sign, in what order, and which verification method applies to each party. You can add multiple signatories and choose between sequential or parallel signing.
Signatories receive a link
Each signatory is notified by email with a unique, secure link. There is no account to create and nothing to install. They open the link, review the document, and proceed to signing.
Identity is verified and the document is signed
Before signing, each party confirms their identity through the chosen verification method. Once verified, they sign. The platform manages the sequence, sends reminders, and notifies you when each signature is complete.
Signed document returned immediately
Once all parties have signed, the completed document is delivered to you immediately. It includes an embedded audit trail showing who signed, when, and from where. The document is archived and retrievable at any time.
Powered by Autenti eSign Studio. The Digital Contract Signing tool is powered by Autenti, a Polish company operating across the EU, compliant with eIDAS, GDPR, DORA, and ISO 27001. Autenti is used by over 16,000 companies across Europe, including BNP Paribas, Decathlon, and Medicover.
See the platform in action
A guided walkthrough of the signing workflow, no account required.
The best way to understand how digital signing works in practice is to see it. The interactive demo below walks you through the complete signing workflow – from uploading a document to receiving the signed copy – step by step
Interactive demo
Walk through the full signing workflow yourself, uploading a document, adding signatories, selecting a verification level, and receiving the signed result.
FREE TRIAL
Try Digital Contract Signing at no cost
NaviDesk brings together due diligence, identity verification, and contract signing in a single platform. If you need to know who you are dealing with before you ask them to sign anything, the Due Diligence and Customer ID Verification tools complete the picture.
The Due Diligence and Customer ID Verification tools operate on a credit system, no subscription, no minimum commitment. The Digital Contract Signing tool has a separate pricing arrangement. Contact us to discuss what works for your volume and workflow.
Where digital signing is used in the maritime industry
Everyday maritime situations where digital contract signing removes delay and complexity.
Vessel sale and purchase
Buyer, seller, and broker are rarely in the same country. Digital signing lets all parties close the transaction without travelling or posting documents.
- Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
- Bill of Sale
- Brokerage agreement
- Acceptance of survey
Charter agreements
Charterers may be anywhere in the world. Getting a charter party signed quickly – before departure – no longer requires a printer or a post box.
- Charter party contracts
- Bareboat charter agreements
- Charter cancellation and amendment letters
- Handover protocols
Refit and maintenance
Shipyards and service companies can get specifications agreed and contracts signed before work begins, no delays waiting for
- Refit contracts and specifications
- Maintenance and service agreements
- Acceptance of quotations
- Completion sign-off protocols
Berthing and marina contracts
Marina and harbour operators can issue and collect signed berthing contracts digitally, whether the vessel owner is present or arriving from overseas.
- Seasonal and annual berthing agreements
- Short-term mooring contracts
- Marina rules and conditions acknowledgements
Crew and management
Vessel managers and owners can onboard crew and sign management agreements digitally, regardless of where the vessel or the parties are located.
- Crew employment contracts
- Vessel management agreements
- Owner instructions and authority documents
- Crew acknowledgements and declarations
Insurance and finance
Insurers and lenders can issue policy documents, declarations, and loan agreements for digital signature, removing the postal delays that are common in international transactions.
- Insurance policy acceptance documents
- Marine mortgage and loan agreements
- Claims declarations
- GDPR consent and data processing agreements
The other NaviDesk tools
Digital Contract Signing is one of three tools in the NaviDesk platform.
NaviDesk brings together due diligence, identity verification, and contract signing in a single platform. If you need to know who you are dealing with before you ask them to sign anything, the Due Diligence and Customer ID Verification tools complete the picture.
TOOL 01
Due DiligenceMaritime Customer Due Diligence Tool
TOOL 02
Customer ID Verification
The Due Diligence and Customer ID Verification tools operate on a credit system, no subscription, no minimum commitment. The Digital Contract Signing tool has a separate pricing arrangement. Contact us to discuss what works for your volume and workflow.
Frequently asked questions about Digital Contract Signing
Ready to start signing digitally?
Do drop a note or give us a call and we will walk you through how Digital Contract Signing works within NaviDesk, and get your account set up.