Voluntary certification of crewing agencies
The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (Convention 2006), adopted at the 94th International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference, consolidates more than 70 existing ILO maritime labour instruments. The Convention 2006 will come into force 12 months after it has been ratified by at least 30 ILO member-states with a total share of merchant fleet gross tonnage 33 per cent. Each member-state will be responsible for ensuring implementation of its obligations under the Convention 2006 on ships flying its flag.
As preparing to the Convention 2006 entry into force Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) recommends shipowners to fulfill the Convention 2006 requirements in advance and offers its assistance to the representatives of the maritime industry.
The Convention 2006 requirements apply to crewing agencies as well. After the Convention 2006 enters into force shipowners will have to prove that they cooperate only with crewing agencies complying with the Convention 2006 requirements.
For this purpose RS continues voluntary survey performance for compliance with the Convention 2006 requirements, offering the competitors a new service voluntary certification of crewing agencies.
The RS experts will assist crewing agencies both to assess the readiness level and to eliminate shortcomings.
RS performs voluntary certification for compliance with the following requirements:
– International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW 78/95);
– ILO Convention (No. 179) Concerning the Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers;
– ILO Recommendation (No. 186) on the Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers.
Safety planning and management is impossible without due regard for the human factor. Crew training and ensuring proper labour and rest conditions are the key tasks for minimization of the negative influence of the human factor.
Certification of crewing agencies is aimed at:
– legal assistance for seafarers with focus on protection against risk of staying at a foreign port without support;
– enhancement of social security level for seafarers;
– enhancement of qualification level of the crewing agencies staff.
Source: Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS)