More reforms in maritime industry to curb fraud

By Patrick Beja

After Kenya entered the International Maritime Organisaton (IMO) white list last May, the United Nations specialised maritime agency has come up with more reforms for the industry.

Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Director General Nancy Karigithu said the new amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers seek to prevent fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency.

The amendments also aim at prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, training in modern technology such as electronic charts and information systems, security training and promotion of women in the maritime industry.

IMO also convened the conference to seek revisions to the regulations relating to marine environment and prevention of pollution.

"The amendments, to be known as "The Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code" are set to enter into force on 1 January 2012 under the tacit acceptance procedure," said Mrs Karigithu in a statement.

The amendments were adopted during a diplomatic conference in Manila, the Philippines, held between June 21 and 25.

Major revisions

The Philippines is the world’s leading supplier of seafarers, believed to be more than Kenya’s teaching force.

They are among the leading lot in remittance of revenue from the Diaspora. The major revisions to the STCW convention and its associated code would ensure that necessary global standards are in place to train and certify seafarers to operate technologically advanced ships.

IMO is the United Nations specialised agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution from ships.

The Manila amendments are aimed at bringing the STCW Convention and Code upto date with developments since they were initially adopted in 1978 and further revised in 1995; and to enable them address issues that are anticipated to emerge in future.