Paper logbooks have served the industry for decades, but they come with known limitations. Manual entries are time-consuming, prone to human error, and difficult to review from shore. There’s also the risk of lost or damaged documents, and compliance inspections often require physical access to paper records.
By replacing these with electronic systems, Odfjell streamlines the process and reduces the administrative load on the crew. At the same time, compliance with international regulations is strengthened and collaboration between sea and shore is improved.
The electronic logbooks, supplied by Navtor and Kongsberg, automatically gather data from ship systems and allow for real-time, event-based entries. These cover a wide range of operational activities, including navigation, engine parameters, garbage handling, emissions, ballast water, and port calls.
Among the core benefits:
The systems are fully certified and type-approved in line with IMO, MARPOL, SOLAS, and Flag State regulations.
As part of the rollout plan, six vessels were selected to test the systems under operational conditions:
Each test vessel has been providing detailed feedback to help refine the setup for broader deployment.
“The digital logbook is easy to use, efficient, and helps reduce the risk of errors when filling out the logbook,” shared crew from Bow Cardinal. “The support from Thomas, Vidar, and the Navtor Greenlogs Team made the transition easier through regular Teams calls and follow-up.”
On Bow Orion, the shift to digital was welcomed not only for its efficiency but also its practicality:
“It’s easier to use compared to paper logs. It takes only a few minutes of typing, and it solves the problem of unclear handwriting. This is a clear step forward.”
Crew on Bow Optima noted that the system was generally easy to navigate and highlighted features such as dark mode for night operations, auto-value input, and paste functions for previous entries. They also identified areas for improvement, such as interface bugs and limited editing options on pre-filled templates.
This kind of user feedback is being shared with Navtor and Kongsberg and is actively shaping system updates.
The electronic MARPOL logbooks will be rolled out fleet-wide by May 1, 2025, covering:
The Deck Logbook and Engine Logbook will follow in a phased rollout after the MARPOL implementation. Paper backups will remain available onboard during the transition period.
By the end of 2025, Odfjell expects to have transitioned all applicable logbooks to digital formats.
The electronic logbooks project is led by Vidar Børve, Manager Electrical & Automation, and Thomas Lieske, Senior Marine Superintendent. Together, they have supported test vessels from setup to training and have coordinated closely with both suppliers.
“This project is about improving how we collect and use data,” said Vidar. “We're helping to connect ship and shore in smarter ways.
“The test vessels have played a critical role,” added Thomas. “Their feedback has helped us shape a system that works in practice. The electronic logbook project is one of several efforts underway to modernize how Odfjell operates. By improving the way information flows between ship and shore, Odfjell supports better decision-making, faster response times, and more consistent regulatory compliance across our global operations.”
