From complexity to clarity, smartPAL’s journey as a ship-management software represents ongoing evolution. Today, the PAL system is a comprehensive one-stop solution built to reflect the real-world demands of fleet ownership and management rather than simplify them away. It stands out because it has been shaped by the practical insights of both ship managers and owners.
Published on 02 Dec 2025
In 2008, BSM was formed through the merger of four ship management companies. This consolidation brought together Ship Management, Crew Service and Maritime Training Centres across the globe. With integration came also the challenge of uniting multiple processes and accounting structures under a single framework. This marked the birth of smartPAL as BSM’s in-house ship management software and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform.
The development of the PAL system also paved the way for MariApps Marine Solutions, the Schulte Group’s dedicated maritime software company and digital partner. Today, MariApps owns and continuously advances smartPAL in close collaboration with BSM and the Group’s ship owning arm. As a result, more than 4,500 vessels worldwide—including all BSM-managed ships—benefit from this integrated approach
Initially designed to meet BSM’s internal requirements, smartPAL’s evolution has been driven by customer feedback, which quickly became its real engine of innovation.
Flexibility: The first major customisation was to make the system adaptable enough to handle the complexities of individual owner-manager relationships, while still supporting internal approval and reporting structures.
Single log-in: Originally, users had to access multiple platforms such as Vessel Mate, Shipmate, Purchase Mate and Accounts Mate, often entering the same data repeatedly. With the introduction of one unified platform with single-sign-on access, the different modules finally started talking to each other which set the foundation for streamlined operations.
Fully web-based access: When many shipping companies were still relying on desktop-based or spreadsheet systems, BSM made a major leap forward. In 2014, it launched the Customer Web Access (CWA), followed by its relaunch as LiveFleet in 2017 and the roll-out of the LiveFleet mobile app in 2019. This move eliminated the need for local software installations and offered global accessibility from any device. LiveFleet quickly became one of the most transformative innovations.
Building on its initial ship management functions - financial reporting, crewing, maintenance, procurement, and accounts - smartPAL has steadily expanded to include chartering, performance monitoring and data analytics modules. This has turned it into a fully integrated, digital and fleet-wide ecosystem supporting mobile, cloud as well as regulatory and performance needs.
Among the benefits clients value most:
smartPAL remains a living platform that will evolve as clients keep engaging by requesting new features such as advanced analytics and predictive maintenance or deeper insights into emissions and charter performance.
As the maritime sector accelerates its digital transformation, smartPAL stays committed to evolving alongside it—driven by collaboration and guided by MariApps’ innovation—to ensure lasting value for ship owners and managers alike.
“I’ve been using PAL for over seven years and I am pleased with how much it has advanced. As owners, having direct access to crewing, financial, safety and technical data saves us time and reduces the need for back-and-forth with the ship manager. I especially value the financial statements function, which stores all invoices and data in one place and supports our management reports and projections. We truly appreciate the ongoing improvements that continue to enhance the user experience.”
Client of BSM Singapore
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