Seatrade automates crew changes fleetwide using Tilla Technologies

Dutch reefer carrier Seatrade will rely on the Tilla Technologies platform to plan and execute its crew changes in the future. After a successful pilot project in the second half of 2024, Seatrade has now already rolled out Tilla across most of its 52-vessel fleet.

The goal is to simplify processes, create transparency and measurably optimise crewing decisions. The Tilla Technologies platform delivered very convincing results in the pilot project. It demonstrated that it can reduce Seatrade's crewing costs by a double-digit percentage and save each crew operator up to one hour of working time per day.

Seatrade operates its reefer fleet primarily on routes between Europe, North America and Latin America. The crews come mainly from Russia and the Philippines, and there are not good flight connections everywhere in these regions. Combined with a decentralised organizational structure - the company's crew operators work in Vladivostok, Manila and Groningen - this leads to high demands on planning and communication in all crewing processes at Seatrade. 

The Tilla Technologies platform solves these challenges. It enables crewing teams to plan, monitor and continuously optimize crew changes. All relevant data sources are integrated: vessel schedules, crewing data, port agency data, real-time flight data, travel requirements and many more. The platform finds the best flights, books them automatically and notifies all parties of changes in real time. Tilla's platform integrates seamlessly with existing crew management systems and works with 15 travel agencies. It covers all steps of crew change planning, from planning to reporting and invoice management. 

Kor Wormmeester, Manager Crewing at Seatrade, explains: “Tilla quickly convinced us with both its measurable efficiency gains and its ease of use. We particularly appreciate the transparency the platform gives us in all planning and cost processes. This is a big difference to the traditional system, where crew changes are handled by travel agencies with sometimes opaque cost structures and little insight into optimization potential.”

Niklas Weidmann (pictured, left), Co-Founder and MD of Tilla Technologies, says: "Everyone talks about digitalisation, Seatrade is doing it. They already believe in improving crew satisfaction through digital innovation. Digitising their crew change management was the next logical step. While Excel spreadsheets and emails are still the standard for crew change management in many companies, Seatrade now relies entirely on data-driven, automated decisions for each and every crew change - to the benefit of everyone involved".

Tilla Technologies' platform is used by many well-known companies in the shipping industry, including Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG, Stödig Ship Management, NSC and Leonhardt & Blumberg. It optimises over 10,000 crew changes per year. 

Tilla Technologies was founded in Berlin in 2021 to optimise and improve the efficiency of crew changes in the shipping industry. The company is growing and has expanded its team in recent months, filling several key positions. Further new hires are planned for 2025. 

Crewing is still one of the least digitised areas of work in shipping, but accounts for a large proportion of operational costs. Tilla says its user-friendly and powerful platform drives optimal crew change decisions and automates workflows, with real-time data and integrations. The net effect is to lower crew change costs and improve productivity of crewing teams,  covering the complete crew change process, from planning to flight booking and reporting.