Platform Terms and Conditions

1. Introduction

These Terms govern all use of the Maritime Delivery platform at maritime.delivery, owned and operated by Nordic Crew Worldwide, S.L. ("NCW"). The Platform offers: (a) a Delivery Marketplace for per-voyage yacht and vessel delivery assignments; and (b) a Recruitment Marketplace for permanent and long-term crew positions.

By creating an account you agree to these Terms. You must be at least 18 years of age. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

2. Definitions

• "Client" — any individual, company, vessel owner, or entity that posts a Delivery Listing or Crew Vacancy.
• "Crew Member" — any individual with a verified account who applies for or accepts assignments through the Platform.
• "User" — any Client or Crew Member.
• "SEA" — a Seafarer's Employment Agreement. NCW is not a party to any SEA.
• "Placement" — when a Client selects and confirms a Crew Member through the Platform.
• "Introduction" — the first occasion a Crew Member's profile is made visible to a Client through the Platform.
• "Platform Fee" — the fee payable by the Client to NCW as set out in Section 12.
• "User Content" — any information, certifications, documents, or other content uploaded by a User to the Platform.

3. Nature of the Platform

NCW operates as a technology marketplace only. NCW is not a recruitment agency, employment agency, shipowner, or employer. All contractual relationships are exclusively between the Client and the Crew Member. Certification verification is a safety access-control measure only — all selection decisions are made solely by the Client. Payment processing is carried out by Stripe Technology Europe, Limited. NCW does not hold or control funds directly.

4. Independent Contractor Status

Crew Members use Maritime Delivery as independent contractors or self-employed individuals — not as employees, workers, or agents of NCW. NCW does not direct, supervise, or control how Crew Members perform their work.

Crew Members are solely responsible for registering as self-employed and paying all applicable income tax, social security, and VAT in their country of residence.

5. Platform Services

5.1 Delivery Marketplace — Clients post per-voyage delivery assignments. Crew Members with verified certifications may apply. The Client is solely responsible for all hiring decisions.

5.2 Recruitment Marketplace — Clients post permanent and long-term positions. The Client is solely responsible for all hiring decisions.

5.3 Certification Verification — NCW verifies that submitted certifications appear authentic and valid on their face. NCW does not verify jurisdictional validity for any specific flag state or operating area. The Client is solely responsible for verifying that a Crew Member holds all certifications required by the vessel's flag state and any applicable port state regulations.

6. Client Obligations

By posting a listing, the Client confirms: the vessel is seaworthy and holds all required registrations; the vessel complies with all applicable maritime safety regulations; the Client holds hull and P&I insurance; and all fees and crew compensation will be deposited into escrow before the assignment commences. The Client shall not pass on any part of the Platform Fee to Crew Members.

Spanish waters (RD 186/2023): Clients operating in Spanish waters must comply with Royal Decree 186/2023 including charter licensing, crew documentation, KYC verification, and voyage reporting. Non-compliance may result in penalties of up to EUR 200,000 and vessel detention. NCW provides no regulatory compliance advice — the Client is solely responsible.

7. Crew Member Obligations

The Crew Member confirms all certifications and experience information are genuine, accurate, and current. Uploading falsified or invalid certifications is a material breach resulting in immediate permanent account termination.

NCW charges Crew Members EUR 3 per month subscription for access to browse listings. No fees are charged for applying, accepting, or completing assignments. Platform Fees are charged exclusively to Clients. By activating their subscription and commencing use of the Platform, the Crew Member expressly consents to immediate commencement of the digital service and acknowledges the 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply once access has been activated.

8. Assumption of Risk

Maritime activities involve inherent risks including adverse weather, equipment failure, vessel unseaworthiness, personal injury, and death. By creating an account and applying for or accepting any assignment, each User explicitly acknowledges these risks and voluntarily assumes full personal responsibility for any injury, loss, damage, or death arising from or in connection with any voyage or assignment.

9. User Content and Platform Licence

Users retain ownership of their User Content. By uploading content, Users grant NCW a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, store, display, reproduce, and distribute that content solely for operating, improving, and promoting the Platform. This licence continues for up to 90 days following account termination for operational backup, or longer for legal proceedings or regulatory compliance. Any feedback submitted to NCW is provided on a non-confidential basis and may be used freely by NCW.

10. Artificial Intelligence and Automated Content

NCW does not use User Content or personal data to train AI or machine learning models without explicit prior consent.

11. Prohibited Conduct

• Submitting false, misleading, fabricated, or AI-generated information or certifications
• Applying for assignments without holding the required verified certifications
• Circumventing or attempting to circumvent the Platform Fee
• Manipulating, fabricating, or influencing reviews or ratings
• Using the Platform for any unlawful purpose
• Harassing, defaming, threatening, or discriminating against other Users
• Scraping, reverse-engineering, or interfering with the Platform
• Creating multiple accounts or re-registering after suspension or termination

12. Platform Fees, Payment and VAT

Platform Fees are charged exclusively to the Client. All fees are exclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise. For B2B EU transactions, the reverse charge mechanism applies. Upon confirming a Crew Member, the Client deposits the full agreed crew compensation and Platform Fee into escrow via Stripe before the assignment commences.

Upon confirmed completion, crew compensation is released from escrow. The Platform Fee is retained by NCW and is non-refundable once a Crew Member has been confirmed. Where an assignment is terminated early due to force majeure or incapacity, escrow funds are disbursed on a pro-rata basis proportionate to calendar days completed.

13. Reviews and Ratings

Reviews must be honest, accurate, and based on genuine first-hand experience. Prohibited: submitting false or AI-generated reviews; pressuring Users to submit, modify, or remove reviews; using defamatory language. NCW reserves the right to remove any review that violates these Terms.

14. Introduction Protection and Anti-Circumvention

Introduction Period: 12 months from first profile visibility. If a Client engages a Crew Member outside the Platform during this period, the full Platform Fee is payable. Deliberate circumvention incurs liquidated damages of 200% of the applicable Platform Fee. The Introduction Period does not apply where the Client can demonstrate by written evidence a direct, pre-existing professional relationship with the Crew Member prior to Introduction through the Platform.

15. Non-Solicitation

For 12 months following any Placement or completed delivery: Crew Members shall not directly solicit a Client for work outside the Platform; Clients shall not directly engage or offer work to any Crew Member introduced through the Platform outside the Platform. A breach by either party triggers the Platform Fee obligation and liquidated damages in Section 14.

17. Limitation of Liability

NCW operates as a technology marketplace only. To the fullest extent permitted by law, NCW shall not be liable for any loss, injury, illness, death, delay, or expense arising from User conduct, vessel condition, insurance failures, AI-detection decisions, or force majeure. NCW's total aggregate liability shall not exceed the total fees received from that User in the 12 months preceding the claim. Nothing excludes NCW's liability for fraud, wilful misconduct, or mandatory consumer protection rights under Spanish or EU law.

18. Indemnity

Each User acting in a commercial or professional capacity agrees to indemnify NCW from claims arising from their use of the Platform, breach of these Terms, disputes between Users, injury or death arising from a voyage, insurance failures, or User Content that infringes third-party rights. This indemnity does not limit mandatory statutory rights of consumers under LGDCU and Directive 93/13/EEC.

19. Account Suspension, Termination and Dormancy

NCW may suspend or terminate accounts for material breach, submission of false or AI-generated content, non-payment, or harmful conduct. An account is dormant after 24 months of inactivity — NCW will notify at least 30 days before action. Users may reactivate by contacting NCW.

20. Digital Services Act (DSA) Compliance

NCW operates in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2022/2065. Users may report illegal content at hello@nordiccrewworldwide.com. Users who disagree with a content removal or account suspension may submit an internal complaint within 30 calendar days. NCW will provide a reasoned written response within 14 calendar days of receipt.

22. Data Protection (GDPR)

NCW processes personal data in accordance with GDPR and LOPDGDD. Full details are in the Privacy Policy. Personal data is retained for 24 months after last activity. NCW does not use User Content to train AI models without explicit prior consent.

29. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

Disputes between Clients and Crew Members are exclusively between those parties. Disputes with NCW must first be raised in writing within 30 calendar days. This is a contractual condition for NCW's internal dispute process and does not affect statutory limitation periods or consumer rights. These Terms are governed by the laws of Spain.