The IMO International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) regulate the training and certification of seafarers and forms the basis for standards of crew competence that are enforced worldwide. The Convention also regulates watchkeeping arrangements on board merchant ships, including watchkeepers’ minimum rest hours. The fourth edition of Guidelines on the IMO STCW Convention sets out the obligations for shipping companies and includes guidance on how to ensure compliance on board.
The ICS Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit for Shipping has been developed to create awareness and inspire change in the strategies, policies and practices that will enable the maritime industry to meet the needs of the diverse seafarer community. It provides descriptions and definitions; provides ways to assess the current needs of diverse communities and identify gaps in services, policies and practice; and makes suggestions on how to fill these gaps.
With an unprecedented shortage of skilled workers entering into shipping, ICS discusses what concrete steps can be taken to improve the 'brain drain' in maritime.
As public, customer and investor demands increase for evidence of sustainability efforts, tanker operators are recognising the needs for clear and comparable reporting of environmental and social governance (ESG).
As new shipping emissions regimes emerge across the world, an effective dialogue between regulators and operators will be critical to ensure measures are successful.
Over the last few years and particularly since the start of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic there has been an increase in cases of shipping companies finding it difficult to repatriate the bodies or ashes of deceased seafarers quickly enough, and in accordance with the religious beliefs and customs of both the deceased seafarer and their next of kin. This guide sets out the core considerations for dealing with a death on board and details common burial practices for some of the world's leading religions.