Maritime officials in Cameroon have strengthened their knowledge and skills in administering the training, assessment and certification of seafarers, following a national training course delivered by IMO in Yaoundé on 27-31 May.
The training focused on the effective implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), 1978, as amended.
The STCW Convention outlines global regulations that govern the training, certification and watchkeeping standards of seafarers worldwide.
The course covered relevant chapters, regulations and articles of the STCW Convention and Code to enhance the ability of countries to implement the provisions and give complete and full effect to the Convention.
A key aspect involved the sharing of knowledge and experience in administering, supervising and monitoring the training, assessment and certification of seafarers, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the STCW Convention and Code.
Thirty-one officials involved in the effective implementation of the STCW Convention requirements in Cameroon, drawn from government and private stakeholder institutions, benefitted from the training. This included six women, supporting IMO efforts to improve gender balance in the maritime sector.
The training was delivered through IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) with the collaboration of the Cameroonian Ministry of Transports. It is based on the findings of a needs assessment mission implemented in April 2023.