Durrant Pate/Contributor

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is acknowledging that Jamaica’s seafarer training expertise is helping to shape the overhaul of global rules governing the maritime workforce.

The IMO, which is the regulator of the global maritime industry, gave Jamaica kudos for its maritime training expertise, with its Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, recognising the country’s role in helping to shape the overhaul now taking place regarding global maritime rules, during an official visit to the country last week. 

Addressing cadets and maritime professionals at the Caribbean Maritime University’s (CMU) main campus at Palisadoes Park last week, Dominguez recognised Jamaica’s active contribution to the comprehensive review of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers and its accompanying STCW Code.

Phase one of the review identified more than 400 gaps in the existing framework. The work addresses the impact of digitalisation, automation and emerging technologies on shipboard operations, alongside cybersecurity, mental health, psychological safety, violence and harassment, and gender and cultural diversity. 

While in Jamaica, Dominguez also attended the 31st Session of the International Seabed Authority Assembly at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, engaged with seafarers, visited Kingston Wharves Limited and Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited, and attended a reception marking the 25th anniversary of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ).

His visit took place as Jamaica marks 50 years of IMO membership and reflects the country’s continuing contribution to international maritime regulation and the representation of the interests of Caribbean and Small Island Developing States.

The IMO Secretary-General declared, “Jamaica is very active in the STCW review. You have a great deal of experience and expertise that IMO is aware of and relies on. Technology outpaces the way that we regulate. By the time we finish, if we are too specific about particular technologies, they may already be outdated.” 

MAJ Director General remarked, “The Secretary-General’s recognition of Jamaica’s expertise is especially meaningful as we mark 50 years of IMO membership. It demonstrates that sustained technical engagement enables Small Island Developing States to influence the rules governing international shipping. The MAJ will remain actively involved in the STCW review, helping to ensure the revised framework keeps pace with technological change while keeping seafarers at the heart of shipping.”