The Indian Union Cabinet approved the Model Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for unilateral/bilateral recognition of Certificates, pursuant to Regulation 1/10 of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers.
Specifically, the Indian Government gave the greenlight for the MoU for unilateral/bilateral recognition of Certificates 1978 as amended, to be signed between the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India and its counterparts in foreign countries, with the approval of Minister-in-charge of Shipping and the Minister of External Affairs.
The goal of this approval is that the unilateral MoU will help unilateral recognition by another country of the certificates provided by the Directorate General of Shipping to Indian seafarers, without seeking similar recognition by India of the certificates issued by that country.
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On the other hand, the bilateral MoU will make the seafarers of both countries entitled for employment on ships of either party according to their certificates.
Consequently, Indian seafarers will be placed on ships under the flag of the country they’re employed at, leading to more employment opportunities.
The Government noted that the proposed bilateral MoU will enable India and another country that the MoU has been signed to set the maritime education and training, certificates of competency, endorsements, documentary evidence of training and medical fitness certificates, issued to the seafarers who are citizens of respective countries in accordance with the provisions of regulation 1/10 of the STCW Convention.
