Page 128 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2022

MARITIME TRAINING

EFFORTS FOR EUROPEAN

EXCELLENCE IN MARITIME

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

THE KEY ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

European Directives on Centres of social partners, Member States, train-
Excellence ing institutions and other stakeholders
Three main issues in the global seafar- is necessary to investigate the possi-
ers’ labour market have forced the Euro- bility of creating a voluntary system of
pean Union (EU) to focus on maritime harmonised certificates going beyond
training and advanced levels of mari- the STCW in the level of training, to
time education. Firstly, the EU acknowl- increase the competitive advantage of
edges that the number of European European seafarers. Such an STCW+
officers has been steadily decreasing. could establish “maritime certificates
Second, the increasing specialisation of excellence” based on European mari-
of ships has intensified the need for a time postgraduate courses, which would
sufficient number of people with the provide European seafarers with skills
knowledge and practical experience to above and beyond those required at
operate sophisticated ships. Finally, the the international level. The increasing
importance of the maritime industry to digitisation of the maritime
the EU underlines the need to support Furthermore, in amendment 9 of the
the competitiveness of EU crews. same report, the Commission proposes
The Maritime Centers of Excellence the award of a European Maritime
(MCE) are at the core of European Diploma of Excellence, emphasising
maritime competitiveness. However, the the benefits derived from the exchange
relevant Directives on maritime training of good practices among the Member
and education do not clarify the oper- States and that encouragement should
ation of MCEs. be given to promoting the Erasmus+
The idea of MCEs was conceived by scheme for seafarer training. At this
the European Commission, which has point, it is worth noting that maritime
been making efforts through its com- Diplomas of Excellence are provided
petent Commissioners to include them for in Directive 2019/1159 and Directive
in European directives and specify 2022/993. More precisely, in article 26
their operation. For example, in the of Directive 2019/1159 and article 28 of
by Despina Kiltidou, Report for the Amendment of Directive Directive 2022/993, it is stressed that:
Attorney-at-Law, Doctor of Laws (Auth), 2008/106/EC., in amendment 11, it is “The Commission’s evaluation report,
Post Doc researcher (UoM)
stated that: “A broad debate involving which will be submitted no later than 4

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