(LONDON) — The Palau International Ship Registry (PISR) has been recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as fully complying with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
At IMO headquarters in London on June 10, Secretary-General Kitack Lin’s proposal was approved by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), giving PISR white list status under the STCW Convention 1978.
The STCW Convention as amended sets minimum qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships and large yachts. It was adopted in 1978 by the IMO and came into force in 1984. Palau is the latest ship registry to be approved to offer maritime training under the convention and Panos Kirnidis, CEO of PISR, sees this as another credible step in the registry’s strong growth.
“We have been working with the IMO on a number of issues and this white list approval is yet another example of how far we have come as a registry in this most competitive of maritime sectors," he said. "Everything we have accomplished over the past few years has been another step forward in refining our services and credibility as a responsible, technologically advanced and diligent ship registry.
“The 1978 STCW Convention was the first to establish minimum requirements in training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level. As with many elements in the maritime world, these standards were variably implemented depending on the country involved. We are now able to offer maritime training to a uniform standard which is an important part of the IMO’s drive to raise the standards in global shipping. Our training credentials are under constant review, as regulations change and new opportunities open up for seafarers. Using our own IT designed applications and qualified staff we have been providing services for our fleet personnel for many years, and this new approval will further enhance our training provisions. As one of the world’s leading smart registries we are not only the fastest-growing in the industry, but also a registry that adopts the latest provisions in training to help seafarers on Palau-registered ships.”
About Palau International Ship Registry
Palau International Ship Registry Palau was the fastest-growing flag in the shipping world in 2017 with 43.2 percent growth in the number of vessels joining the registry since 2013, as published in Fairplay magazine. Head offices are located in Piraeus, Greece and in Houston, Texas, giving 24-hour support to its customers.
• PISR provides full administrative and technical support to the registration of vessels.
• PISR is an active member of both the IMO and ILO and is a member of BIMCO and WCPFC.
• Compact agreement of Free Association (COFA) with the United States.
