Holly is the editor of Dockwalk. She grew up racing sailboats in England before switching to the world of superyachts and moving across the pond to Fort Lauderdale.
Starting 1 January 2025, amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) will allow seafarer certificates to be issued in an electronic format. This change reflects the maritime industry’s ongoing digitalization efforts, offering an alternative to traditional paper-based certificates.
The adoption of electronic certificates aims to address challenges such as misplacement, delays in issuance, and verification difficulties. These certificates must include essential information as outlined in circular MSC.1/Circ.1665 to ensure compliance during port state control inspections.
The revised STCW regulations require all certificates—whether paper or electronic—to be accessible onboard. For electronic certificates, administrations must ensure they meet minimum data requirements, including qualifications, endorsements, and medical certifications, and provide secure systems for verifying authenticity.
Yachts and vessels under the STCW framework can implement electronic certificates where appropriate. Operators are encouraged to verify compatibility with onboard systems and train crew in their use. Flag state administrations will oversee the transition, with guidelines expected to support a smooth implementation process.