Turkey's Formal Proposal to the IMO: Revisiting Gross Tonnage and Power Limitations in the STCW Convention

Turkey’s Formal Proposal to the IMO: Revisiting Gross Tonnage and Power Limitations in the STCW Convention

Turkey has formally called upon the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to address the pressing issue of antiquated gross tonnage and propulsion power limitations stipulated in the 1978 STCW Convention. Emphasizing the paradigm shifts in ship design, size, and propulsion over recent decades, Turkey has proposed a comprehensive revision to bring these standards in line with the exigencies of contemporary maritime trade.

Outdated Standards in a Rapidly Evolving Industry

The proposal highlights that the extant limitations of 500 GRT and 3000 GRT for deck officers, and 750 kW and 3000 kW for engineers, were last amended in 1995. Since then, the maritime sector has witnessed exponential growth in ship sizes and engine capacities, rendering these thresholds obsolete. Turkey argues that these figures are no longer commensurate with the operational realities and technical sophistication of modern-day shipping.

Drawing on data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the proposal underscores that the volume of goods transported by sea has tripled over the past four decades, surging from 3.7 billion tonnes in 1980 to 11 billion tonnes in 2019. Furthermore, projections from the Fourth IMO Greenhouse Gas Study estimate that maritime trade could expand by 40% to 115% by 2050, further amplifying the need for updated regulatory frameworks.

A Call for Progressive Change

Turkey posits that revising the gross tonnage and propulsion power thresholds is imperative to uphold the standards of training and certification for seafarers. The proposed amendments are deemed vital not only to keep pace with sectoral developments but also to ensure that the STCW Convention remains a relevant and meaningful instrument in the face of burgeoning global trade.

A Forward-Thinking Initiative for the Maritime Community

The proposal advocates for the inclusion of this matter in the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention, asserting that such a measure would be of significant benefit to the maritime industry at large. By aligning training and certification requirements with the operational demands of modern vessels, Turkey envisions a maritime sector better equipped to meet future challenges.

As the IMO deliberates on this proposal, it is anticipated that the maritime community will engage in a robust discourse on the matter, paving the way for a regulatory framework that reflects the realities of the 21st century. Should the proposal gain traction, it could mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of international maritime standards, ensuring that the industry remains both progressive and adaptive in an era of unprecedented change.