Understanding the STCW IMO White List MSC.1/Circ.1163/Rev.13

The STCW IMO White List MSC.1/Circ.1163/Rev.13 serves as a crucial reference for accepting and validating seafarer certifications from specific countries. It acts as a benchmark for acknowledging and processing rating documents submitted by these nations. However, the recognition of officer certificates requires a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between respective governments. This MoU delineates the terms and conditions agreed upon by both parties regarding the acceptance and acknowledgment of each other’s seafarer documents.

The list essentially streamlines the verification process, ensuring that certifications and documents from the enlisted countries meet the required standards and criteria set forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This mechanism aims to uphold and maintain the quality, proficiency, and adherence to international maritime regulations among seafarers worldwide.

The implementation of the STCW IMO White List emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and mutual recognition between governments in verifying and validating seafarer qualifications. It fosters a framework of trust and assurance in the authenticity and competency of seafarers’ certifications, crucial for maintaining safety and efficiency in global maritime operations.

The following provisions are outlined in the IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1163/Rev.13, STCW IMO White List.

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Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, confirmed by the Maritime Safety Committee to have communicated information which demonstrates that full and complete effect is given to the relevant provisions of the Convention.

1. The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its 104th session (4 to 8 October 2021), received a report by the Secretary-General pursuant to regulation I/7, paragraph 2 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), 1978. The report was in respect of one STCW Party, the information of which had not been fully evaluated previously. A list of the STCW Party which had communicated information that demonstrated that it was giving full and complete effect to the relevant provisions of the Convention at that session of the Committee, together with those which had been confirmed at previous sessions, is set out in the annex.
2. MSC 104 noted that, in preparing the report required by STCW regulation I/7, paragraph 2, the Secretary-General had solicited and taken into account the views of competent persons selected from the list established pursuant to paragraph 7 of section A-I/7 of the STCW Code and circulated under MSC/Circ.797, as revised from time to time.
3. In accordance with STCW regulation I/7, paragraph 3, MSC 104 confirmed one STCW Party, additional to those included in the list set out in MSC/Circ.1163/Rev.12, which had communicated information demonstrating that it was giving full and complete effect to the relevant provisions of the 1978 STCW Convention. The list in the annex contains those STCW Parties confirmed by the Committee at its session referred to in paragraph 1 above. The Committee noted that, as the process of communicating and evaluating information is continuing, further Parties may be added to the list in the annex at subsequent sessions.
4. The Committee draws the attention of maritime Administrations, shipowners, ship operators and managers, shipmasters and other parties concerned to the following:
   1. 1 not all of the STCW Parties listed in the annex provide seafarer training, and some of those Parties listed may only provide a limited range of training; and
   2. .2 the fact that a Party is listed in the annex does not relieve those concerned of their obligations under the 1978 STCW Convention.
5. As Parties are entitled to accept, in principle, certificates issued by or on behalf of STCW Parties, and a position on the list set out in the annex is one of the necessary measures used by many Administrations for the issue of endorsements in accordance with STCW regulation I/10, the attention of port State control officers is drawn to the fact that this circular was issued on 18 October 2021.

ANNEX – Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, confirmed by the Maritime Safety Committee to have communicated information which demonstrates that full and complete effect is given to the relevant provisions of the Convention

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