Governments at an IMO conference in Manila, Philippines on June 25 adopted amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
The International Shipping Federation (ISF) and its member national associations have led maritime employers throughout the comprehensive review process. ISFs sister organisation, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), provided technical and operational advice.
The most contentious issue to be resolved in Manila concerned the IMO minimum rest hour requirements with the ILO Maritime Labour Convention. As a result of proposals submitted to the conference by ISF, both daily and weekly exceptions to the minimum rest hour periods with appropriate safeguards have been maintained, while strong requirements for the recording, monitoring and enforcement of the minimum rest hour provisions have also been added.
With the strengthened mandatory recording requirement we now expect increased focus from port state control on minimum rest hour compliance, particularly with the ILO Maritime Labour Convention also coming into force soon, said ISF/ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe
The Manila amendments are adopted during the IMOs Year of the Seafarer on June 25.
Source:shiptalk