STCW 2010 – employers need to be ready

The transitional period for the 2010 amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 2010) comes to an end on 1 January 2017. To prevent last-minute certification “logjams”, and potential difficulties during port state control inspections next year, it is important maritime employers liaise closely with maritime administrations, warned the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). With less than a year to go before the end of this major transition, ICS and its member national associations have been urging shipping companies to check those maritime administrations responsible for issuing their seafarers’ STCW certification are fully prepared, and arrangements have been made to ensure any necessary updating training can be undertaken.