Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping, 11th session (HTW 11), 10 – 14 February 2025

The Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping held its eleventh session at IMO Headquarters in London (in-person with hybrid participation) from 10 to 14 February 2025. The meeting was chaired by Mr. H. Storhaug (Norway). A summary of the outcomes is provided below.

• Secretary-General’s opening remarks/ closing remarks    
• Photo gallery    

Comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code – Phase 1 completed 

The Sub-Committee concluded phase 1 of the comprehensive review of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention) and the accompanying STCW Code. The STCW framework establishes international requirements and standards for training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers.  

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 105), in April 2022, had instructed the HTW Sub-Committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code in order to adapt it to new trends, developments and challenges in the maritime sector. This process consists of two steps:  

• Phase 1 to review the Convention and Code to identify gaps (focusing on 22 specific areas, including implementation, emerging technologies on ships, e-certification, mental health and gender sensitization, among others); 
• Phase 2 will be a revision stage to develop amendments to address those gaps. 

In completing phase 1, the Sub-Committee agreed on a list of identified gaps in the STCW Convention and Code to be addressed in Phase 2 of the comprehensive review.  

Workplan for phase 2: 

The Sub-Committee also agreed on a draft work plan for phase 2, and an updated road map. The workplan outlines a 10-step approach whereby the Sub-Committee will work through several chapters/sections of the STCW Convention and Code during each session, drafting new provisions and amendments to existing provisions as necessary to address identified gaps. The finalization of this work will be subject to the progress made based on the work plan and the magnitude and relevance of the amendments under consideration.  

The Sub-Committee will submit the workplan and updated roadmap to the upcoming session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) with a view to approval in June of this year.  

The Sub-Committee established an intersessional correspondence group to continue the work, and invited proposals for amendments to chapters 2 and 3 of the STCW Convention to be submitted to HTW 12, in accordance with the stepped approach of the work plan.   

Enhancing the STCW oversight and verification process 

As part of the comprehensive review, the Sub-Committee recognized that the current oversight system to ensure compliance with STCW Convention and Code was not sustainable in the long-term and required improvements. 

The Sub-Committee agreed that the STCW oversight system should be integrated with the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS), including audit cycles, engagement of experts and administration. It invited the Maritime Safety Committee to endorse this course of action and invited the III Sub-Committee to note the possible integration of both schemes. 

In line with these agreements, interested Member States and international organizations were invited to actively participate in the ninth session of the Joint Working Group on the Member State Audit Scheme (JWGMSA 9), to be held from Wednesday, 19 to Friday, 21 March 2025. 

The Sub-Committee established the Correspondence Group on the STCW oversight and verification processes and instructed it to examine the strengths of each, the STCW oversight and IMSAS, system, consider how to consolidate their administration, and depending on the outcomes, prepare relevant draft amendments to the STCW Convention and Code, while identifying potential impacts on the Framework and Procedures for IMSAS. 

The Correspondence Group will submit a written report to HTW 12. 

Draft MSC resolution on accessibility of information related to medical provisions - finalized 

The Sub-Committee finalized the draft MSC resolution on Accessibility of information on seafarer medical certificates and medical practitioners recognized for the purpose of conducting seafarer medical examinations, with a view to adoption by MSC 110. 

The resolution aims to enable access to key information that would help facilitate the issuance and use of medical certificates for seafarers.  

The resolution notes that section A-I/9 of the STCW Code requires Parties to maintain a register of recognized medical practitioners that shall be made available upon request. The resolution encourages Parties to consider publishing this information through authorized government websites, making them available in English, and to provide prompt verification of the validity of seafarer medical certificates on those websites. 

Draft interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies agreed 

The Sub-Committee recognized the maritime industry’s need for technical and detailed guidance on training of seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies, including the addressing of different risk profiles. It was agreed that such guidance should be provided by means of both: 

• generic interim guidelines applicable across the whole industry and relevant to all alternative fuels and new technologies; and 
• individual sets of fuel/technology-specific interim guidelines, closely aligned with safety provisions developed by other IMO bodies. 

The Sub-Committee agreed on the draft generic interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies, which will be submitted to MSC 110 with a view to approval as an STCW.7 circular.  

Development of fuel/technology-specific guidelines for seafarer training  

The Sub-Committee commenced the development of draft interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel. 

The Sub-Committee established the Correspondence Group on the Development of Training Provisions for Seafarers on Ships using Alternative Fuels and New Technologies to continue the work intersessionally. 

The Correspondence Group was instructed to develop interim guidelines for training of seafarers, including individual sets of guidelines, addressing: 

• the use of methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel, taking into account MSC.1/Circ.1621 on Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel; 
• the use of ammonia as fuel, taking into account MSC.1/Circ.1687 on Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel; 
• hydrogen fuel cell powered ships, taking into account MSC.1/Circ.1647 on Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using fuel cell power installations; 
• the use of LPG as fuel, taking into account MSC.1/Circ.1666 on Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using LPG as fuel; 
• the use of hydrogen as fuel; and 
• battery powered ships. 
  

The Correspondence Group will submit a report to HTW 12. 

Reports on fraudulent certificates 

The Sub-Committee noted information received by the Secretariat regarding more than 150 cases concerning fraudulent certificates detected in 2023 and 2024.  

The Sub-Committee discussed concerns raised about unlawful practices associated with certificates and noted that these practices could be effectively deterred through enhanced cooperation, increased transparency by Member States regarding their procedures, contact points, access to their registers, and the implementation of digital tools.  

Most importantly, the Sub-Committee underscored the need for effective application of existing IMO instruments, and for Member States and companies to conduct verifications of seafarers' documentation before issuing endorsements attesting recognition or employing seafarers.  

Revised Guidelines for the development and validation of model courses agreed 

The Sub-Committee agreed to the draft revision of the Guidelines for the development, review and validation of model courses (MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.15/Rev.2). The revision contains updates to improve the implementation of model courses, including a standard template for model courses to enhance structural consistency and promote a more streamlined process for developing future IMO model courses. 

The draft revision of the Guidelines will be submitted for concurrent approval by MEPC 83 and MSC 110 and subsequently disseminated as MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.15/Rev.3. 

Revised model training courses validated 

The Sub-Committee validated the following draft revised Model Courses: 

• Model Course 1.25 on General Operator's Certificates for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS);  
• Model Course 1.26 on Restricted Operator's Certificate for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS); 
• Model Course 3.20 on Company Security Officer; 
• Model Course 3.21 on Port Facility Security Officer; and 
• Model Course 3.23 on Actions to be Taken to Prevent Acts of Piracy and Armed Robbery. 

These model courses will be published following a final editorial review by the Secretariat. 

The Sub-Committee approved the draft terms of reference for the revision of the following Model Courses, with a view to validation at its 13th session in 2027 (HTW 13): 

• Model Course 1.27 on Operational Use of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS); 
• Model Course 7.05 on Skipper on a Fishing Vessel; 
• Model Course 7.07 on Chief Engineer Officer and Second Engineer Officer on a Fishing Vessel; 

The Sub-Committee also approved the draft terms of reference for the revision of the following Model Courses, with a view to validation at HTW 14:   

• Model Course 7.06 on Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on a Fishing Vessel; and 
• Model Course 1.33 on Safety of Fishing Operations (Support Level) 

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