The European Commission decided on 25 November 2013 to lift a three-year ban it had imposed on Georgian seafarers.This decision comes after the withdrawal of the STCW* recognition of Georgian seafarers’ certification in November 2010 following an inspection carried out by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in 2006. Among the problems identified were the effective monitoring of maritime schools and the issuance of forged certificates.

At the time, this Commission decision meant that seafarers who did not possess recognised certificates would no longer be allowed to work on board EU-flagged ships. Those with valid endorsements could continue working on board EU-flagged ships until the expiry of the five-year validity of their endorsements.

Despite the ban, the European Commission adopted a constructive approach by providing assistance to Georgia through various EU-funded projects in order to help it bring its system of training and certification back in line with international standards.

The Commission re-assessed the Georgian system on the basis of another EMSA inspection of October 2012 and, following corrective measures adopted by the Georgian authorities, found it to be once again compliant with international standards.

Once this decision is formally adopted, those EU Member States who so wish may start endorsing Georgian certificates.

The Commission’s official press release can be found here.