The Merchant Shipping (Issue and Recognition of Certificates and Marine Training) (Amendment) Law of 2017(1) was published in the Official Gazette on February 17 2017 and took effect from that date. It introduced the following amendments to the Merchant Shipping (Issue and Recognition of Certificates and Marine Training) Law of 2008:(2)

  • The remaining provisions of Directive 2012/35/EU were transposed into national legislation, amending Directive 2008/106/EC on the minimum level of training of seafarers;
  • The 2010 Manila amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers were implemented; and
  • The following certificates were introduced:
    • Certificate of Competency for Masters (for vessels up to 500 tonnes);
    • Certificate of Competency for Chief Engineers (for vessels with propulsion power of up to 750 kilowatts);
    • Certificate of Competency for Electrotechnical Officers;
    • Certificate of Proficiency for Able Seafarers (Deck);
    • Certificate of Proficiency for Able Seafarers (Engine); and
    • Certificate of Proficiency for Electrotechnical Rating.

The new law is currently available in Greek only. However, a consolidated English translation of the amended Merchant Shipping (Issue and Recognition of Certificates and Marine Training) Law of 2008 will soon be available on the Department of Merchant Shipping website.

For further information on this topic please contact Vasileios Psyrras at Andreas Neocleous & Co LLC by telephone (+ 357 25 110 000) or email ([email protected]). The Andreas Neocleous & Co LLC website can be accessed at www.neocleous.com.

Endnotes

(1) Law 10(I)/2017.

(2) Law 27(I)/2008.

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