The Seafaring Sector
From the accurate navigation of a ship in the ocean and within narrow waterways, to the safe and meticulous maintenance of a ship’s engine, the expertise of well-trained Deck Officers and Marine Engineers is essential to every ship’s operations. In addition, seafaring officers need to be trained in the operation of communication equipment, cargo-handling equipment and firefighting.
About one million seafaring officers and ratings are employed worldwide in shipping and this number is set to increase as world shipping continues to flourish with the growing demands of trade. To ensure navigational and environmental safety as ships travel through territorial waters and the high seas, the UN International Maritime Organisation (IMO)13 regulate the safe operations of the industry, and a ship’s officers must be qualified in accordance with the competence standards required by the IMO’s Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention in order for him to sail on a ship.
There are more than 30 international conventions that directly govern the training andemployment standards of seafarers. While training standards are governed by the STCW, the employment standards of seafarers are also given high priority, with unions such as the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) promoting relations between seafarers and their employers.
In Singapore, there are diploma programmes which allow the student to obtain their basic and advanced Certificate of Competency (CoC) required to work onboard a ship. The CoCs obtained in Singapore are issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and meet the STCW requirements, thereby qualifying these officers for employment worldwide.
Useful links:
- Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union www.smou.org.sg
- International Maritime Organisation www.imo.org