Safety & Security

EU drops Philippines STCW derecognition threat

EU member states have decided not to derecognise the STCW certification of Filipino seafarers "for the moment", the European Commission told IHS Maritime today. A spokesman confirmed that member states on the EU Committee on the Safety of the Sea had decided not to take action against the Philippines for the moment despite recent findings by the European Maritime Safety Agency that the Asian country had not yet rectified deficiencies in its seafarer training system. He said that the Philippines authorities had instead been asked to take further corrective measures comes into line with the requirements of the STCW Convention, adding: "Failure to resolve these issues may result in the loss of EU recognition." According to tanker operators' body Intertanko, member states are to ask the Philippines authorities to report progress to the European Commission every three months, while the commission announced another inspection of Filipino training facilities by the European Maritime Safety Agency in October.


http://www.ihsmaritime360.com/article/12514/eu-drops-philippines-stcw-derecognition-threat