IMSML Website Article 48/2024: Resolution MSC.540(107) - Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978

This short article is on the 9th subject-matter contained in Malaysian Shipping Notice (MSN) 12/2023. Resolution MSC.540(107) was made by the Maritime Safety Committee at its 107th Session. A new definition is introduced on ‘Original Form’ in Chapter 1 (General Provision) concerning usage of electronic certificates for seafarers. This amendment enters into force on 1 January 2025.

Regulation I/1 - Definitions and Clarifications

A new Paragraph 1.45 definition provides the following for ‘original form’:

[1] The document means either a paper, or electronic form of any certificate require by STCW 1978;

[2] It shall be issued in the format approved by IMO;

[3] It shall contain the minimum information as required by Paragraph 4 of Section A-I/2 of STCW;

[4] The minimum information shall be readily available.

Regulation I/2 - Certificates and Endorsements

There is a new Paragraph 11 which provides for the following:

[1] Any certificate required by the Convention must be kept available in its original form on board the ship, on which the holder is serving;

[2] If an electronic form is used, the minimum required data must be accessible, as defined by IMO in accordance with the STCW Code;

[3] The form in [2] above is necessary to initiate a verification procedure.

Note, for the electronic form, please refer to the ‘Guidelines on the use of electronic certificates of seafarers (MSC.1/Circ.1665)’.

Thank you for reading IMSML Website Article 48/2024

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Website Article 49/2024: Resolution MSC.541(107) - Amendments to PART A of the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code

Signing-off for today,

Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo, LL.B(Hons.)(Glamorgan); LL.M (Cardiff); Ph.D (Cardiff); CMILT

Professor of Maritime and Transport Law

Head of the Centre for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Tuesday, 1 October 2024

Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my