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.
Although the Chinese government has lifted restrictions on crew change, confusion about these changes abound - with some ports still enforcing the requirements imposed almost three years ago when the pandemic began.
Since acquiring former tanker pool specialist Heidmar from TMS Group in November 2020, CEO Pankaj Khanna has grown the company’s commercial management business from six to nearly 60 vessels. He talks to ICS about what it takes to succeed and grow in an evolving shipping market.
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.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative (‘the Initiative’) was recently extended by 120 days to 18 March 2023 under the original conditions, after all parties reached agreement.
Bjørn Højgaard, CEO of shipmanager Anglo-Eastern, talks to Leadership Insights about post-pandemic crewing challenges and supporting shipowners on the path to decarbonisation.