Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers

Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators / Surveyors / Auditors

This Circular is issued to advise that IMO Resolutions MSC.540(107) and MSC.541(107) entered into force on 01 January 2025. Both these Resolutions concern amendments to the International Convention and the Code on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Regulation I/1 of the STCW Convention – Definitions and clarifications

A new definition has been added:

• “Original form means a paper or an electronic form of any certificate required by the Convention, issued in the format approved by the Administration, provided that the minimum information, as required in paragraph 4 of section A-I/2 of the STCW Code, is readily available.”

Regulation I/2 of the STCW Convention – Certificates and Endorsements

Paragraph 11 has been replaced by:

• Subject to the provisions of regulation I/10, paragraph 5, any certificate required by the Convention must be kept available in its original form on board the ship on which the holder is serving. If an electronic form is used, the minimum required data must be accessible as defined by the Administration in accordance with the STCW Code, which is necessary to initiate a verification procedure.”

Section A-I/2 of the STCW Code – Certificates and endorsements

Paragraph 4 has been replaced by:

• In using formats which may be different from those set forth in this section, pursuant to regulation I/2, paragraph 10, Parties shall ensure that in all cases:
  1. all information relating to the identity and personal description of the holder, including name, date of birth, photograph and signature, along with the date on which the document was issued, shall be displayed on the same side of the documents;
  2. all information relating to the capacity or capacities in which the holder is entitled to serve, in accordance with the applicable safe manning requirements of the Administration, as well as any limitations, shall be prominently displayed and easily identified;
  3. the terms “front”, “back” and “overleaf”, as referred to in these provisions, are not applicable for certificates and endorsements in electronic form; and
  4. an official seal, photograph and signature of seafarer are not necessary for certificates and endorsements in electronic form.”

Act now

Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators/ Surveyors/ Auditors should note the above and be guided accordingly.