Period of Service Required to Acquire Higher-Level License for Deck Officer and Engineer Officer to be Shortened

- Proclamation of the amended Enforcement Decree of the Seafarers Act, which includes provisions to shorten by up to 50% the period of service required for upgrading a certified officer’s license (December 17)

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) announced that the amended Enforcement Decree of the Ship Officers Act—which adjusts the period of service required to acquire a license for each grade of certified officer required for ship navigation to the level of the international convention (STCW*)—was proclaimed on December 17.

 * The International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 as amended

 According to the current Enforcement Decree of the Ship Officers Act, graduates of the designated educational institution (Korea Maritime & Ocean University) need to have a minimum of 4 years and up to 9 years of service on board to acquire qualifications as captain or chief engineer of an internationally navigating vessel of 3,000 tons or more. It is longer than the international agreement (minimum of 2 years and maximum of 3 years), leading to prolonged periods required to acquire higher-level licenses and consequently hindering the smooth supply of Korean certified officers.

 The amendment significantly reduces the time required for ship officers with lower-grade licenses to acquire higher-grade licenses by shortening the required sea service period by up to two years for each grade, in keeping with the international agreement standards.

 “We expect this amendment to enable quicker promotions and career advancements for certified officers, thereby greatly contributing to motivating seafarers to render long-term service. The government will continue to develop reasonable measures to improve the working environment for certified officers, and I hope more people will take interest in the rewarding career of being a certified officer,” Minister Kang Do-hyung said.