Directive (EU) 2019/1159 amending Directive 2008/106/EC on the minimum level of training of seafarers and repealing Directive 2005/45/EC on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates

Summary:

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 aimed at simplifying and streamlining the existing EU regulatory framework on seafarers' training and certification.

Further information:

Enhancing maritime education, training and certification of seafarers is seen by the European Union (EU) as an essential element to guarantee safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment. At EU level, this was achieved through Directive 2008/106/EC, by setting minimum training and education standards.

The Directive integrated at the EU level the international framework on the training, certification and watchkeeping requirements for seafarer. It also contained a common mechanism for the recognition of the systems of maritime education, training and certification of seafarers from third countries. Fostering the professional mobility of seafarers within the EU was the objective of Directive 2005/45/EC, which introduced a simplified procedure for the recognition of seafarers' certificates issued by the Member States.

An evaluation was carried out and concluded that both Directives were fit for purpose and met to a great extent the initial objectives and expectations. However, it also identified elements that hindered the effectiveness and the efficiency of the legislative framework. The new Directive aims to tackle the problematic issues identified. The objective is to:

• Keep the EU rules aligned with the international framework;
• Revamp the mechanism for the recognition of third countries;
• Increase legal clarity regarding the mutual recognition of seafarers certificates issued by the Member States.

The proposal was presented by the European Commission on 24 May 2018. The Council of the European Union adopted a general approach on 3 December. The European Parliament's relevant committee approved a negotiating position on 10 January 2019. An informal agreement between the co-legislators was reached on 11 February. The Parliament formally endorsed it on 4 April, followed by the Council on 6 June.

Official

EUR-Lex: COM(2018)315: Proposal to amend Directive 2008/106/EC on the minimum level of training of seafarers and to repeal Directive 2005/45/EC https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2018:315:FIN

EUR-Lex: SWD(2018)239: Refitting the EU legislation on seafarers' training and certification https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2018:239:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on minimum level of training of seafarers https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2018/0162(COD)

European Parliament: Legislative Train: Proposal for a directive on the minimum level of training of seafarers http://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-deeper-and-fairer-internal-market-with-a-strengthened-industrial-base-services-including-transport/file-minimum-level-of-training-of-seafarers/05-2019

European Maritime Safety Agency: Standards for seafarers http://www.emsa.europa.eu/visits-a-inspections/training-of-seafarers.html

European Commission: DG Mobility and Transport: News, 24/05/2018: New proposal to simplify and update rules on seafarers' training and certification https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/maritime/news/2018-05-24-seafarers

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 11/02/2019: Seafarers' training: provisional agreement with Parliament on simpler framework https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/02/11/seafarers-training-provisional-agreement-with-parliament-on-simpler-framework/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 06/06/2019: EU cuts red tape for seafarers' training and certification https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/06/06/eu-cuts-red-tape-for-seafarers-training-and-certification/

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Commentary and Analysis

European Transport Workers' Federation: News, 04/04/2019: EP vote for improving the centralised mechanism for the recognition of the maritime education and certification systems of seafarers https://www.etf-europe.org/european-parliament-votes-for-reforms-of-minimum-training-level-for-seafarers/

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