Ukraine and Estonia have signed an interagency agreement on mutual recognition of seafarers' qualification documents.
The signatory on behalf of the Ukrainian side was Yevhenii Ihnatenko, Head of the Shipping Administration of Ukraine. The signing ceremony took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Ukraine with the participation of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Anneli Kolk.
Director General Priit Sauk initiated the signing of the agreement on behalf of the Estonian Transport Administration in Tallinn in June 2024.
The Memorandum of Understanding was concluded in pursuance of the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, and in accordance with the requirements of IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ. 1450 ‘Guidance on Arrangements Between Parties to Allow for Recognition of Certificates Under Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention’.
The interagency agreement provides an opportunity to obtain endorsements for seafarers' qualification documents with a view to their employment on ships flying the flags of Ukraine or Estonia.
During the meeting, the Head of the Shipping Administration expressed his gratitude to Estonia for its support in repelling the full-scale war of the russian federation and developing the UA Maritime Recovery Plan.