IMO has amended the Part A of the STCW Code through Resolution MSC.541(107)

The International Maritime Organization has adopted Resolution MSC.541(107), amending the Part A of the STCW Code.

The Maritime Safety Committee recalling Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Committee,

Recalling also article XII and regulation I/1.2.3 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 ("the 1978 STCW Convention"), concerning the procedures for amending part A of the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code ("the STCW Code"),

Recognizing the need for providing a timely response to the global digitalization trend, as well as a solution for the management and control of seafarers' certificates issued pursuant to the 1978 STCW Convention,

Having considered, at its 107th session, amendments to part A of the STCW Code, proposed and circulated in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(i) of the 1978 STCW Convention,

Adopts, in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(iv) of the 1978 STCW Convention, amendments to the STCW Code, the text of which is set out in the annex to the present resolution;

Determines, in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(vii)(2) of the 1978 STCW Convention, that said amendments to the STCW Code shall be deemed to have been accepted on 1 July 2024, unless, prior to that date, more than one third of Parties or Parties the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 50% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping of ships of 100 gross register tons or more have notified to the Secretary-General of the Organization that they object to the amendments;

Invites Parties to note that, in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(ix) of the 1978 STCW Convention, the amendments to the STCW Code annexed hereto shall enter into force on 1 January 2025 upon their acceptance, in accordance with paragraph 2 above;

Urges Parties to implement the amendments to section A-I/2 of the STCW Code at an early stage;

Requests the Secretary-General, for the purposes of article XII(1)(a)(v) of the 1978 STCW Convention, to transmit certified copies of the present resolution and the text of the amendments contained in the annex to all Parties to the 1978 STCW Convention;

Also requests the Secretary-General to transmit copies of this resolution and its annex to Members of the Organization, which are not Parties to the 1978 STCW Convention.

Annex: Amendments to Part A of the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code

CHAPTER I: STANDARDS REGARDING GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section A-I/2: Certificates and endorsements

Paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

"4 In using formats which may be different from those set forth in this section, pursuant to regulation I/2, paragraph 10, Parties shall ensure that in all cases:

• .1 all information relating to the identity and personal description of the holder, including name, date of birth, photograph and signature, along with the date on which the document was issued, shall be displayed on the same side of the documents;
• .2 all information relating to the capacity or capacities in which the holder is entitled to serve, in accordance with the applicable safe manning requirements of the Administration, as well as any limitations, shall be prominently displayed and easily identified;
• .3 the terms "front", "back" and "overleaf", as referred to in these provisions, are not applicable for certificates and endorsements in electronic form; and

- .4 an official seal, photograph and signature of seafarer are not necessary for certificates and endorsements in electronic form."

This Resolution was adopted on 8 June 2023. It will enter into force on 1 January 2025.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Amendments to Part A of the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code