Korea-Fiji Sign MOU for Mutual Recognition of Maritime Engineer Licenses

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 6th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Fiji Maritime Safety Authority to mutually recognize maritime officer licenses.

According to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in order to board foreign maritime officers on a country's vessels engaged in international navigation, the parties must sign a mutual recognition MOU.

In the case of Fiji, it had recognized maritime licenses from countries that are parties to the STCW Convention without a separate mutual recognition MOU. However, in March last year, Fiji announced that going forward, it would only recognize maritime licenses from countries with which it has signed a mutual recognition MOU.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries promptly signed a mutual recognition MOU for maritime licenses, considering that many Korean maritime officers work on Fiji-flagged vessels, which serve as an advanced base for Korea's South Pacific distant-water fisheries.

As a result, existing Korean maritime officers can continue working on Fiji vessels, and more Korean maritime officers can work for local fishing companies in Fiji.

Kim Seok-hoon, Director of the Seafarer Policy Division at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, “We will continue to promote the signing of mutual recognition MOUs for maritime licenses with other countries so that our maritime officers can expand their opportunities overseas.”

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