As part of our continued efforts to integrate key stakeholders into the Tradian platform, the team has been hosting User Acceptance Testing (UAT) sessions for the currently live modules.

These sessions aim to familiarise users with the system's functions, surface any challenges faced in real-world use cases, and ensure that services meet the operational needs of all parties involved.

Two such sessions were recently held in July, both focusing on the Vessel Declaration (VD) module.

One brought together various Cross-Border Regulatory Agencies (CBRAs) alongside shipping agents, and another followed up with a dedicated session for the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA), whose role within VD is distinct but critical.

Session 1: VD UAT Cycle 3 

Session Details

The third cycle of User Acceptance Testing for the Vessel Declaration module was held with CBRA participants and shipping agents to run through end-to-end VD scenarios. 

This session took place on the 14th of July at the Tradenet Head Office.

The objective was to ensure that regulatory bodies were comfortable with the platform’s capabilities and workflows, and that agents had the opportunity to provide feedback on usability from their perspective.

Participants

The session was attended by a broad spectrum of stakeholders. 

This included representatives from government agencies such as Maldives Customs Service (MCS), Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Maldives Immigration, and the Ministry of Health's Port Health Unit. 

There were also several shipping agents in attendance, including STO, Ocean Logistics, and Midsea Shipping.

The Tradian team presented the session and provided support, along with technical assistance to the attendees. 

Additionally, representatives from Crimson Logic, the system vendor, attended online to offer backend support if required during the session.

Purpose of the Session

The session was designed to walk stakeholders through all core scenarios involved in the Vessel Declaration module, from submission to review, so that CBRAs could try out their respective processes in a hands-on environment. This included actions such as accepting, rejecting, or querying submitted declarations.

Shipping agents actively submitted vessel declarations, which allowed CBRAs to engage directly with the system’s workflows in real time. This also helped surface potential challenges from the user side and created an open space for constructive discussion.

The broader goal was to identify any remaining technical issues, assess usability, and ensure readiness for live operations, while also showcasing improvements made since the previous testing cycle, which was VD Cycle 2.

Response and Feedback

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly constructive. Attendees were engaged, communicative, and supportive throughout the session. 

Their insights helped highlight several areas for refinement and affirmed many of the improvements that had been made following earlier feedback. 

While further enhancements were identified, the session marked a strong step forward in stakeholder onboarding and validation of the Vessel Declaration module.

Session 2: Dedicated VD UAT with MoTCA

Session Details

A separate UAT session was organised specifically for the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA), who play a distinct and critical role in the Vessel Declaration service. 

This session was held on the 20th of July, also at the Tradenet Head Office.

MoTCA’s responsibilities within the VD module differ in that they do not function as an approval authority, but instead play a key role in processing payments tied to certain vessel operations. 

As a result, the structure and content of their session was uniquely tailored to their scope of work.

Participants 

The session was attended by the MoTCA team and was led by the Tradian team, with additional members providing technical support and assistance.

Purpose of the Session

The main focus of the session was to verify that the payment scenarios within the VD module aligned correctly with MoTCA’s responsibilities and expectations. 

The walkthrough included a range of use cases in which MoTCA’s payment collection logic would be triggered, ensuring that the amounts calculated and displayed by the system were accurate across different vessel types and conditions.

This tailored testing allowed the team to confirm that all relevant fees and processing logic were functioning as intended and also provided an opportunity to assess the user interface from MoTCA’s perspective.

Response and Feedback

MoTCA responded positively to the session. They expressed satisfaction with how the payment flows were represented within the system and confirmed that the calculations matched their expectations. 

A few unrelated change requests were raised during the session, which, while not immediately connected to VD, have since been noted for review and potential future implementation. 

Overall, the session was well-received and provided the team with confidence in MoTCA’s readiness to use the platform effectively.

Looking Ahead

These sessions are an essential part of Tradian’s user onboarding process and reflect our commitment to inclusive development that listens to real-world feedback. 

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the stakeholders who took time to attend, test, and provide constructive input, particularly the teams from MCS, MPL, MNDF, Immigration, MOH/Port Health, MoTCA, and the various shipping agencies who joined us.

The Tradian team remains committed to improving the platform in close collaboration with its users. 

While these sessions mark significant progress for Phase 1 of the rollout, work is already well underway on Tradian Phase 2, which will expand the system’s capabilities and bring additional services online.

Stay tuned for further updates as we continue building a more seamless and unified digital trade ecosystem.