Sea Crew

April 10, 2009 (LBO) - Belgium will recognize seafarer certificates issued by Sri Lanka allowing seamen from the island to serve aboard Belgian flagged vessels under a deal between the two countries, a government minister said.



The merchant shipping division of Sri Lanka's ministry of ports and aviation had signed a memorandum of understanding with the directorate general maritime transport, of the Kingdom of Belgium information minister Anura Yapa said.

National certificates would be issued and recognized under the terms of the International Convention on Standards and Training, Certification adn Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) of 1978.

Under the agreement, Belgian authorities would provide a mechanism for seafarers at a management level to acquire knowledge of Belgian maritime law.