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Conferma has partnered with Mariner Travel, a specialist Travel Management Company serving the marine and offshore sectors, to bring secure, virtual card payments to one of the most operationally complex areas of global travel.
Marine and offshore crew movements often involve last minute scheduling changes, remote port locations, and high-pressure operational environments. By introducing secure virtual card payments, the partnership marks Conferma’s continued growth in Australia and brings modern, advanced payment capabilities to an industry where speed, precision, and control are essential.
Now, businesses across the marine and offshore industry will benefit from more efficient and secure payment processes which directly address the challenges of crew travel.
Meeting the unique demands of marine and offshore travel
The marine and energy sector is defined by unique travel pressures – last-minute schedule changes, complex crew rotations, and demanding remote logistics. Crew move quickly between global ports, often with limited accommodation options, fluctuating travel conditions, and sudden itinerary changes.
In an environment where vessel schedules, compliance requirements, and crew safety depend on precise coordination, traditional payment methods can introduce friction, manual processes, and financial risk — particularly when bookings are made at short notice in remote locations.
Virtual cards eliminate these risks by providing real-time, controlled, and data‑rich payments designed for rapid crew movement:
- Rapid response to operational change – Virtual cards can be issued instantly for emergency crew changes – minimising the operational and financial impact of last-minute travel adjustments.
- Stronger compliance and governance – Pre-set spend controls are built in, ensuring all spend aligns with company policies and governance requirements – even in high-pressure scenarios.
- Simplified multi-currency reconciliation – Virtual cards are directly linked to individual bookings, with embedded trip data, reducing manual admin and improving financial visibility.
Crew travel accounts for a significant portion of marine and offshore operating budgets, and delays caused by manual payment processes can lead to costly disruptions. Introducing virtual cards reduces administrative burden, improves financial oversight, and supports the rapid mobilisation essential to maintaining vessel schedules.
The partnership reflects a broader shift in the travel industry, as virtual card technology moves beyond traditional corporate travel into specialised, high-complexity sectors where operational reliability and financial control are mission-critical.
“Marine and offshore travel operates on tight schedules and in high-pressure environments,” said Aaron Watts, Chief Executive Officer at Mariner Travel. “Partnering with Conferma enables us to respond faster to crew changes while maintaining the financial control and visibility our clients depend on.”
James Heape, Head of Sales and Partnerships for Australasia at Conferma, added: “Marine and offshore crew travel is one of the most demanding travel environments in the world. By supporting Mariner Travel, we’re demonstrating how virtual cards deliver measurable value in sectors where precision, compliance, and operational continuity are critical.”
Driving growth across Australia
The partnership underscores Conferma’s continued investment in Australia and New Zealand, where adoption of virtual payments is accelerating across both corporate and specialist travel segments. By supporting niche TMCs such as Mariner Travel, Conferma is extending secure, digital payment infrastructure into sectors where legacy processes have traditionally dominated.
As demand for secure, real-time payment solutions grows across Australia’s travel sector, Conferma continues to expand its ecosystem — enabling TMCs of all sizes and specialisms to deliver smarter, more resilient travel programmes.
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About Conferma
Headquartered in Manchester, UK, Conferma is the global leader in virtual payments, connecting businesses, issuers, and suppliers to streamline and secure transactions. Its technology underpins virtual card issuance for banks, travel management companies, and enterprises worldwide. For more information, visit www.conferma.com
About Mariner Travel
We are your specialist travel provider offering cost effective travel management solutions to the corporate, marine and offshore markets. From corporate bookings to crew changes and leisure services we have all your travel needs covered.