Exclusive Interview with IDWAL: A Breakthrough for Trust in Secondhand Ship Transactions

A secondhand bulk carrier that seemed perfect was hiding $120,000 in annual maintenance costs — this was the truth uncovered by the IDWAL ID platform for a European shipowner.


In the world of secondhand ship transactions, many buyers have paid a heavy price for data blind spots: outdated inspection reports, fragmented equipment records, and intentionally beautified vessel descriptions. As the global shipping industry rapidly advances toward digitalization, how can ship assets become transparent and measurable?
 
IDWAL Marine, a global leader in ship inspection, offers an answer. Its core product, the IDWAL ID platform, provides a comprehensive digital solution for evaluating, benchmarking, and managing vessel condition.

In a recent exclusive interview with Xinde Marine News, George Haysom, Chief Commercial Officer, and Johnny, Commercial Manager, NE Asia, of IDWAL Marine, shared  that the platform, built on a database of over 12,000 real vessel inspections and enhanced by machine learning, has reduced the margin of error in ship asset evaluations to under 10%. Shipowners can now complete due diligence processes via mobile in a matter of days, rather than weeks. 
 
A Trusted Partner, Backed by Data
 
In maritime transactions, trust is built on facts and IDWAL delivers them with unmatched scale and consistency.
 
The platform draws from more than 12,000 vessel inspections, conducted by a global network of certified inspectors across over 100 countries. Each inspector averages more than 20 years of maritime experience and is trained under a unified technical and compliance framework.
 
This foundation supports the Idwal Grade®—the industry's first standardized, quantified measure of vessel integrity. Now widely recognized by classification societies, port state authorities, and financial institutions, it has become a common language for assessing ship condition and value.


With this data-led approach, IDWAL has earned its reputation as a trusted benchmark. As George Haysom noted: "We've built a benchmark owners and investors can trust—it supports better decisions and stronger returns."
 
Grading Ships with Clarity
 
While the platform is intuitive and easy to navigate, its real value lies in how clearly it presents complex condition data. By entering a vessel's name, IMO number, or call sign, users can instantly access the Idwal Grade® and over 20 sub-scores—covering areas such as engine performance, regulatory compliance, and crew welfare—all displayed in a clear, structured format.


A built-in benchmarking tool automatically compares the vessel to others of similar type and age, positioning it against global peers using intuitive charts. This allows users to quickly identify both competitive advantages and hidden vulnerabilities.
 
As George noted in the interview: "Recently, a buyer used our benchmarking tool and discovered hidden maintenance liability trends among vessels that seemed well-rated. This helped them avoid a costly future investment."
 
Predicting Ship Condition with Confidence
 
Building on its extensive inspection database and continuously trained machine learning model, the IDWAL ID platform offers industry-leading accuracy through its Estimated Grade function. In 90% of cases, the estimated score falls within 10% of the actual inspection result—offering a dependable forecast for vessels that have not yet undergone physical surveys.
 
The model incorporates more than 20 key parameters, including vessel type, age, classification society, and flag state. With over 3,000 new inspections added annually, the system is continually refined to stay aligned with real-world conditions.






For financial institutions, this level of precision significantly streamlines the evaluation process. What once required two weeks can now be completed in just three working days, supported by a uniquely detailed and trusted report.
 
Supporting the Full Asset Lifecycle
 
The IDWAL ID platform is not only a transaction tool. It also supports ship condition management across the full vessel lifecycle. "We work with shipyards to embed inspections from early design through construction, drydock, and even resale or recycling," George explained.
 
This is possible because the platform functions as a comprehensive asset management system. It connects inspection insights with real-time operational data, enabling greater visibility and control throughout a vessel's life. Key features include:
 
· Defect Management: Centralized tracking and classification of issues by severity and cost, reducing repair cycles by up to 40%.
· Trend Benchmarking: Visualization of condition changes over time, with performance comparisons to global peers.
· ESG Integration: Social impact scores and environmental indicators aligned with ISSB standards, enabling informed sustainability-driven decisions.
 
With these tools, IDWAL helps shipowners shift from reactive maintenance to proactive lifecycle planning.
 
Global Reach, Local Focus
 
To support maritime clients worldwide, the IDWAL ID platform maintains operational hubs in Europe and Singapore, ensuring real-time support across all time zones. Regional representatives are also based in key shipping centers such as Shanghai and Tokyo.


The platform is adapted to meet local regulatory and operational requirements while maintaining global consistency. For clients with specialized needs, tailored modules are developed to reflect unique fleet profiles and compliance priorities.
 
As George concluded: "With tightening regulations, fleet renewal cycles, and a stabilization of global trade flows, we expect a moderate recovery in the secondhand ship market by the end of 2025."

by Xinde Marine News Ni Zhongxiang

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