Following the crisis around the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes and restrictions taking place in the shipping industry, the International Maritime Organization issued advice concerning seafarers’ certificates and endorsements.
Specifically, IMO’s Secretary General is aware of the concerns regarding seafarers’ training and certification as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Therefore, IMO advises issuing Administrations to take a pragmatic and practical approach with regard to the extension of the above-mentioned certificates and endorsements, as strictly necessary, and to notify ships, seafarers and relevant Administrations accordingly.
In addition, Port State control authorities are also encouraged to take a pragmatic and practical approach in relation to these certificate and endorsement extensions, and their acceptance in
the exercise of control procedures in accordance with article X (Control) and regulation I/4 (Control procedures) of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended.
Members States are invited to communicate to the Organization general information on the practices adopted by the issuing Administrations and port State control authorities.
