Time to relook updated training for seafarers

IT APPEARS that the rules governing the way seafarers train and obtain their qualifications could soon be changing.

Speaking in Manila, at the recent Crew Connect Conference in Manila, the chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Esben Poulsson, called for a comprehensive revision of the relevant International Maritime Organization (IMO) convention.

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), which governs global standards for the training and certification of around two million merchant seafarers, was first adopted by IMO in 1978. It was radically revised by IMO in 1995 at the request of ICS, with a further set of minor amendments adopted in 2010.

According to Mr Poulsson, ICS increasingly views the STCW 2010 amendments as an interim revision which added some new training and certification provisions without making "the structural changes needed to accommodate new developments in training or the competences that would be required to operate ships in the future".

Pointing out a major shortcoming of the current STCW, Mr Poulsson said: "It's now commonplace for employers to routinely provide additional training and assessments prior to the deployment of many officers holding STCW certification which raises questions as to whether the convention as currently drafted is still fit for purpose in the 21st century."

He also said: "A fully revised STCW regime would allow the industry to adapt much more effectively to technological developments including increased automation. It should provide a structure of sufficient flexibility to hit the moving target of a changing world fleet, and may need to develop a more modular approach to competency accumulation and certification. The arrival of new technology is already changing the functions that seafarers perform on board and the skills and training they require."

Improving transparency

Mr Poulsson added: "A revised STCW should seek to improve transparency and the robustness of implementation oversight. The so called STCW white list of nations that have communicated information to IMO about compliance now serves little real purpose as it includes virtually everyone. ICS would not wish to tear up the white list without a suitable replacement, but there has to be a more transparent and robust monitoring system of national implementation to ensure that STCW continues to deliver competent and quality seafarers."

So, there are two main reasons for making major changes to STCW 2010. The first is that adequate standards are not being achieved in many countries. The Business Times asked ICS if it had a better way of ensuring all colleges and examination boards meet required standards or, in practice, will it still be up to, for example, the EU to take action against states that fail to meet required standards?

An ICS spokesman replied: "This would hopefully be addressed by the IMO review, but while the current regime provides for IMO oversight of national training and certification systems, this does not extend to individual institutions, which is why the EU, flag states and shipping companies have to develop means to reach their own conclusions at present."

It is probably expecting too much that the IMO will come up with a significantly more effective enforcement regime. It is more likely that the main driver for compliance will be actions taken by the EU and possibly some major flag states.

The second reason put forward for change is that STCW 2010 compliant courses no longer deliver the right sort of training for the modern shipping industry.

Modular approach

The spokesman said that, while STCW already provides for a modular approach, it could possibly be more flexible, building on the possibilities for alternative certification and the removal of 20th (or even 19th) century demarcations between the deck and engine department. But they stressed that "this does not imply any erosion of basic knowledge".

"Those employed in navigational functions, for example, could still be inculcated with traditional seamanship skills."

Questioned on the amount of time spent at sea by cadets during their training and whether - at between 12 and 18 months - was long enough, the response was: "With a properly structured on-board training programme as currently required by STCW there is no need for the lengthy sea time required in the 'good old days' when cadets would spend much of their time chipping paint.

"But we are interested in how we can make the best use of simulators, which are increasingly advanced, low cost and now able to be utilised effectively by any training institution, including those in emerging economies that supply the majority of seafarers."

The progress of amending or introducing new regulations at IMO can be painfully slow. However, when asked whether to expect an STCW 2030, the ICS response was: "We would hope this major exercise could be completed by the early 2020s and we certainly wouldn't want to wait until 2030.

"But this depends on the will of IMO member states. ICS members are still discussing how best to take these ideas to IMO, but it should be recalled that when industry requested that STCW 78 should be completely overhauled, STCW 95 was developed and adopted within three years, coming into force two years later."

So perhaps change really will come sooner rather than later.