International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers(STCW)

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Introduction

Maritime trade and transport can be construed to be the oldest forms of globalisation and has since then grown into an industry. Currently over 90% of the world trade has been done by the maritime industry. Nations such as UK, US, China, Greece and the like have thrived on their maritime strength to become world powers.

In order to make the industry, with its large scale and complexity, as efficient as possible there is a necessity for policy and governance. The industry spans over multiple jurisdictions where each jurisdiction have their own impact on the industry. Therefore the requirement for regulations and governance pertaining to the markets, environment, safety, security and taxation is very high in order to reduce the cost burden. The advent of policies have made the shipping industry the most cost efficient method of transporting goods overseas.

Policy makers make policies keeping in mind the level at which and the context in which such should be made. A few of the important contexts kept in mind when doing so are as follows (Roe, 2002):

1. Economic: The general economic situation, changes in currency strengths, the impact of developing nations, economic policies developed in maritime nations, amongst many other examples provide several implications on the shipping policies being developed. The area is extremely broad but an important consideration when making policies

2. Legal: Legislation has always been an area of concern to policy makers. Vessels not only have to meet with legal requirements and regulation of the home countries but also with international and supranational law. Such as IMO regulations on 'safety, seafarer training and environmental protection' (Roe, 2002, p. 503). Other such e...

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...London: Informa Professional.

Roe, M. (2008). Safety, Security, The Environment And Shipping – The Problem Of Making Effective Policies. WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, 263-269.

Sletmo, G. K. (2002). The Rise And Fall Of National Shipping Policies. In C. T. Grammenos, The Handbook of Maritime Economics and Business (pp. 472-473). London: Informa Professional.

Stares, J. (2010, 9 29). Georgia Loses STCW recognition. Llyod's List. Retrieved from http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/regulation/article350939.ece

SteamshipMutual. (2010, July). Steamship Mutual - Amendments to STCW Convention and Code Adopted. Retrieved from http://www.simsl.com: http://www.simsl.com/Publications/Articles/STCWAmends0710.html

Veiga, J. P. (2001, January). A study of the implementation of STCW95 in the context of a safety culture in shipping. Thesis. Cardiff, Wales: Cardiff University.

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