India and Iran sign MoU for smooth movement of seafarers between both countries

Subject :International relations

Section: international organisation

Context :

In a bid to smoothen the movement of seafarers between the two countries, India and Iran on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on recognition of Certificates of Competency in Unlimited Voyages to help seafarers from both the countries as per the provisions of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers (1978).

International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers (1978)

It sets qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships.
STCW was adopted in 1978 by conference at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, and entered into force in 1984.
The 1978 STCW Convention was the first to establish basic requirements on training, certification and watch keeping for seafarers on an international level.
The Convention prescribes minimum standards relating to training, certification and watch keeping for seafarers which countries are obliged to meet or exceed.
One important feature of the Convention is that it applies to ships of non-party States when visiting ports of States which are Parties to the Convention.
The Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code were adopted on 25 June 2010, marking a major revision of the STCW Convention and Code.