The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam, for a period of five years, in order to ensure improved training for seafarers, and recognition of certificates by both the parties.
According to UAE’s MOEI sources, both the parties have issued a ‘Certificate of Recognition’ as evidence of the acknowledgment for the national certificates issued by both the nations. Both Parties also stated that the agreement aims to establish measures to ensure that seafarers are educated with appropriate knowledge of the maritime legislation, and are given training about the maritime laws and regulations to ensure that they acquire the required capabilities for the functions they are permitted to perform.
Following are the stated agreements between the two parties to MoU: –
Improved training facilities, and assessment procedures
Extending support to seafarers
According to the industry sources, the agreement is in line with the signed MoU between MOEI and the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam, both the parties are obligated to ensure that the training and assessment of the seafarers as required under the STCW Convention is administered, supervised, and monitored in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Code. The agreement allows both parties to request access to the output of the training and assessments carried out by each other, in order to ensure that both parties comply with the highest standards.
Both parties also agreed to state that the information regarding the certificates awarded to these seafarers at the end of their training will be recorded in registers, and will be made available for verification as required by the STCW Convention.
During the signing, H.E. Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure stated, “The UAE has always been at the forefront of ensuring the progress of the global maritime sector, while also ensuring the welfare of our seafarers around the world. As a result of our collaboration with the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam, we look forward to providing better training to our seafarers, along with improved facilities, and more recognized certification for their nature of work. As part of our agreement, we will be communicating with each other regarding our training and certification procedures, and will look forward to learning from one another, and also discuss better ways to enhance theoretical and practical knowledge of our seafarers.”
Dr. Amin Liew Abdullah, Minister of Finance and Economy II, Brunei Darussalam stated, “Seafarers are at the heart of the maritime industry and are essential to ensure the continuity of the global supply chain. As authorities overlooking all the matters that take place in the maritime sector, it is our responsibility to ensure that we work towards their wellbeing. As agreed with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, in addition to recognizing the national certificates for seafarers issued by either of the countries, we will also work towards strengthening the technical and administrative procedures involved in providing these certificates by regularly evaluating the quality standards these training and assessments meet. This will significantly upgrade the skills of our seafarers as they will receive a higher quality of training, supported by much better training facilities and assessment criteria.”
Additionally and more strategically, it was confirmed in agreement by both parties that both the nations also will ensure that the ones providing the training and doing the assessments are qualified in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Code for the type and level of training or assessment involved. Additionally, the agreement also permits both the parties to carry out periodic inspections of the training facilities and procedures employed by one another, in order to ensure that the training and assessments are taking place in line with high-quality standards.
The UAE has always been at the forefront of supporting the seafarers’ community and has launched various initiatives that work towards their betterment. By unveiling the ‘Supporting our Blue Army’ initiative, the nation has worked towards improving the quality of life for seafarers and securing in their rights with ship owners and operating companies. Through agreements such as the one with the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam, the UAE aims to recognize and appreciate marine crews and put them on an equal footing with priority categories.
