The IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 10) took place 5-9 February 2024, discussing the process for a comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code and key items for approval in the next Maritime Safety Committee (MSC).
In progressing the work, the Sub-Committee agreed:
- 22 specific areas of the Convention and Code to be reviewed, including addressing training requirements for emerging technologies on ships, e-certification, mental health and gender sensitization, among others;
- a two-step methodology, consisting of a review of the Convention and Code to identify gaps (Phase 1) and then a revision stage to develop amendments to address those gaps (Phase 2);
- establishment of an Inter-sessional Working Group before the next session of the Sub-Committee (HTW 11) to advance the work, subject to decision by the MSC and the IMO Council;
- a roadmap outlining a timeline for action, including finalizing the list of gaps identified by Spring 2025 (HTW11); finalizing draft text of amendments and resolutions by Spring 2027 (HTW13).
Enhanced efforts on prevention and addressing bullying and harassment
As part of the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code, the Sub-Committee finalized the draft terms of reference for the revision of Model Course 1.21 on Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, with a view to validation at HTW 12 (2026). The aim is to incorporate new competencies to help prevent and respond to all sorts of bullying and harassment in the maritime sector.
MSC 108 is expected to adopt draft amendments to STCW Code, to prevent and respond to bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH), following review of the approved draft amendments by the next meeting of the joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group to Identify and Address Seafarers’ Issues and the Human Element (JTWG), which meets from 27 to 29 February 2024, at IMO headquarters in London.
The new provisions will apply to all seafarers by means of amendments to the STCW Code, table A-VI/1-4 (Specification of minimum standard of competence in personal safety and social responsibilities).
Training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels
The Sub-Committee discussed the development of training provisions for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels. It agreed that the work related to this issue should be separate from the work on the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code.
The Sub-Committee agreed that the existing output of MSC on “Development of a safety regulatory framework to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels” could be utilized to develop relevant training provisions for seafarers, and invited MSC to include this output in the agenda of the Sub-Committee for discussion at HTW 11.
Recommendations to enhance Polar Code training
The Sub-Committee considered a set of recommendations put forward by several Member States, including revisions to the STCW Convention and Code, aimed at enhancing training for seafarers who operate in polar waters.
The recommendations are based on the findings and experiences gleaned from five regional capacity-building workshops delivered between 2019 and 2022, and a workshop in December 2023 to review lessons learned over the course of this training programme. The Sub-Committee agreed to include some recommendations as part of the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code and invited MSC to consider some other recommendations for further action as appropriate.
Fraudulent Certificates
The Sub-Committee noted information received by the Secretariat on reports concerning fraudulent certificates of competency and endorsements detected in 2022 and 2023. The Sub-Committee noted that the issue of fraudulent endorsements amongst shipping personnel was a serious problem that affected the safety of seafarers and ships.
The Sub-Committee underscored the importance of having appropriate Certificate of Competency (CoC) endorsements in accordance with regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention and encouraged STCW Parties to take a broader range of actions to tackle the problem.
