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Don't ditch the paper just yet. The WHO is urging countries to maintain both digital and non-digital versions of ship health documents — like Ship Sanitation Certificates and Ship Declarations of Health — as the world transitions to digital maritime systems. Many nations still lack the infrastructure to verify digital documents, and moving too fast could disrupt international shipping and widen the global digital divide.
Don't ditch the paper just yet. The WHO is calling on member states to keep both digital and non-digital versions of key ship health documents in circulation, even as the maritime industry pushes toward full digitalization. The guidance follows 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), which took effect for most countries on September 19, 2025, and now formally allow health documents to be issued in either format — as long as authenticity can be verified.
The catch? Many countries simply aren't ready. Gaps in capacity, systems, and cross-border interoperability mean that digital ship health documents can't always be validated at ports of call around the world. To avoid bottlenecks and maintain trust between nations, WHO is advising that Ship Sanitation Certificates (SSCs) and Ship Declarations of Health (SDHs) remain accessible in non-digital format at all times — even when a digital version also exists.
Quick Facts
Why it matters: Rushing the digital transition without ensuring all ports can handle it risks disrupting global maritime trade and deepening inequalities between high- and low-capacity countries. WHO's guidance serves as a pragmatic bridge to keep international shipping — and public health oversight — running smoothly during the changeover.
