Crew Change Solutions | Greywing

Streamlining Crew Changes in the Maritime Industry

Managing crew rotations for shipping fleets across international borders presents significant challenges for fleet managers, particularly in the current global climate. Greywing, a platform focused on automating maritime operations and backed by Y Combinator, has introduced a novel solution designed to address these complexities.

Introducing Crew Change

The newly launched Crew Change platform aims to be an industry-first, assisting shipping companies in navigating the evolving landscape of COVID-19 regulations related to crew testing, quarantine protocols, and other essential requirements.

Leveraging Global Data for Accurate Updates

Crew Change utilizes real-time data sourced from S5 Agency World, a prominent global port agency, to maintain up-to-date information on constantly shifting quarantine, testing, and vaccination mandates.

According to Greywing co-founder and CEO Nick Clarke, this solution has the potential to generate substantial cost savings – potentially millions of dollars – for fleet managers. This is achieved through optimized crew change processes, identification of the most economical flight options for crew transport, strategic route planning (and adjustments when needed), and a reduction in costly delays that impact the entire supply chain.

Beyond Crew Changes: A Comprehensive Maritime Solution

Greywing offers a suite of solutions designed to assist fleet operators with critical tasks. These include evaluating sea routes for potential piracy risks and coordinating the transportation of crew members to vessels.

Origins and Evolution of Greywing

Clarke explained via email to TechCrunch that the company initially focused on mitigating risks in high-piracy areas like the Gulf of Guinea and off the coast of Somalia. Their initial approach involved providing rapid intelligence regarding these shipping lanes.

“Our focus expanded as we realized we could provide valuable information regarding crew disembarkation points, addressing a primary concern for seafarers – returning home to their families,” Clarke stated.

Responding to the Pandemic

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted urgent requests from clients seeking assistance with crew change management. Many personnel found themselves stranded on vessels, unable to disembark in various locations worldwide.

“My co-founder, Hrishi Olickel, and I recognized the escalating complexity of global lockdowns and understood that these challenges were likely to persist,” Clarke added.

Greywing’s risk report dashboard. Image Credits: Greywing

The Complexity of Global Regulations

Crew managers are tasked with monitoring constantly changing immigration regulations across numerous countries and thousands of ports globally. This task is further complicated by the diverse nationalities often represented within crews, each potentially subject to unique restrictions.

From Analog Processes to Digital Solutions

Currently, a significant portion of the crew change process relies on manual methods. For instance, a vessel manager operating a chartered ship may only learn of its next destination through direct communication with the ship’s captain.

Crew changes are frequently planned using spreadsheets, and flight arrangements are often made via email or telephone.

“Even prior to the pandemic, crew change management presented inherent difficulties. However, the addition of unpredictable variables made it virtually impossible for even a dedicated team to effectively manage,” Clarke observed.

A Greywing report on flight restrictions. Image Credits: Greywing

Adapting Existing Technology

Greywing developed Crew Change by refining its existing methodology for piracy risk mitigation. The platform is now seamlessly integrated into CRY4, Greywing’s comprehensive risk reporting solution.

Strategic Partnership with S5 Agency World

The company collaborated with S5 Agency World due to its reputation as a leading global port agency with an extensive network of port offices worldwide. This partnership provides Greywing with access to accurate, on-the-ground data, enabling shipping owners to better anticipate and manage conditions at sea.

Crew Change also integrates data from 30 additional public and private data APIs, with plans to incorporate another 20 data sources in the near future.

Rapid Data Updates

Clarke stated that, thanks to its diverse data sources, Crew Change can update information regarding visa, quarantine, and testing requirements in as little as 15 minutes, with more complex data updates completed within a day.