The Tripartite Mandate: Ensuring Competence, Certification, and Readiness in Global Shipping

Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The knowledge and welfare of its sailors are essential to the marine sector, which is the foundation of international trade. The Tripartite Mandate is a complicated, legally required system that makes sure every vessel is manned by people who are qualified, experienced, and prepared for duty. The STCW Convention, the ISM Code, and the MLC, 2006 are the three fundamental international pillars upon which this system is based.

The operational assurance of a vessel’s crew is achieved through the synergistic application of these three instruments:

• Competence and Certification (STCW Convention): The first fundamental, minimal worldwide standards for watchkeeping, certification, and training were created in 1978 by the worldwide Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). It outlines the essential conditions for competence and legitimate certification. Notable changes, such the 2010 Manila Amendments, updated the standards, requiring deck officers to be proficient in using the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS).

• Operational Verification (ISM Code): The International Safety Management (ISM) Code mandates that shipowners and operators develop and implement a formal Safety Management System (SMS). The ISM Code focuses on operational safety, risk mitigation, and fostering a safety culture. It governs the operational verification of competence, explicitly aiming to improve crew competency by requiring a structured approach to maritime safety management. The SMS acts as the definitive integration mechanism where competence, certification, and readiness converge at the vessel level.

• Readiness and Welfare (MLC, 2006): The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), ensures the Readiness of the human element by addressing working and living conditions. It regulates physical health, medical fitness, and working hours. Crucially, the MLC sets explicit limits on hours of work and rest to mitigate fatigue, an operational prerequisite for ensuring the STCW mandate for safe watchkeeping is met. For example, minimum hours of rest shall not be less than 10 hours in any 24-hour period or 77 hours in any seven-day period.

The successful execution of the tripartite mandate faces several critical challenges, forcing the industry to move beyond mere "paper compliance".

• Certification Integrity: The global proliferation of fraudulent Certificates of Competency (CoCs) poses an existential threat to maritime safety. Flag States and companies are explicitly required to verify the authenticity and validity of certificates. However, organized fraud can originate even from institutions within jurisdictions on the STCW "White List," necessitating the mandatory use of centralized, digital verification systems.

• Mitigating Hidden Fatigue: Failure to adhere to MLC's strict rest hour limits directly induces fatigue, which critically compromises a seafarer's ability to perform duties safely. If officers inaccurately log rest hours due to operational pressure, the vessel may be compliant on paper but is operationally dangerous due to latent fatigue. This issue is often compounded by Flag State failures in enforcement, as identified by the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS).

• The Crisis of Psycho-Social Well-being: Seafaring is an isolated profession, contributing significantly to psycho-social distress. High incidence rates of mental ill health, with some surveys reporting 25% of seafarers exhibiting scores suggesting depression, translate directly into compromised operational safety. While STCW and MLC are highly prescriptive regarding physical fitness, the regulatory framework has yet to mandate a standardized psychological fitness-for-duty assessment.

To strengthen the assurance ecosystem, strategic recommendations focus on technology and holistic crew welfare:

• Leveraging Technology: Universal implementation of Competency Management Systems (CMS) is a non-negotiable risk mitigation strategy. A CMS is a centralized platform that captures, validates, and manages skills, certifications, and training records, providing real-time visibility into workforce readiness and automating compliance monitoring for STCW and ISM standards.

• Prioritizing Readiness: Regulators should explore integrating a standardized, non-punitive psychological fitness assessment into the mandatory medical certification process. Furthermore, mandatory digital connectivity for crew must be viewed as an essential operational component, as access to family contact is a leading protective factor against psychological distress and isolation.

In order to achieve full crew assurance, Flag States, businesses, and the crew itself must make a consistent effort to transition from regulatory documentation to a viable, operationally supported, and demonstrably capable reality.

Beyond Compliance: Scorpa Pranedya’s Commitment to Crew Excellence

At Scorpa Pranedya, our philosophy goes beyond traditional ship management. We operate as a strategic partner in ensuring vessel performance, crew safety, and asset longevity. Our Safety Management System (SMS) and digital oversight processes enable real-time compliance monitoring, transparent reporting, and operational optimization across fleets. By combining technical expertise with human-centered leadership, we ensure that every vessel under our management not only meets but exceeds international regulatory expectations.

We recognize that seafarers are the true engine of maritime success. Scorpa Pranedya’s Crew Competency and Welfare Program provides structured upskilling, mental health support, and technology-enabled readiness assessments. Our approach is designed to create resilient, confident, and future-ready maritime professionals. Because in our view, a well-trained and well-supported crew is the most valuable investment in safe and sustainable shipping.

Learn more about how Scorpa Pranedya sets new benchmarks in technical ship management and crew assurance at www.scorpapranedya.co.id

Contributor : Mayra Putri

Reviewer : Imam Buchari, David Ratner

Reference

International Maritime Organization. (n.d.). International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/International-Convention-on-Standards-of-Training,-Certification-and-Watchkeeping-for-Seafarers-(STCW).aspx

SBN Tech. (2025, September 8). How is ISM Code implemented on ships? Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://sbntech.com/how-is-ism-code-implemented-on-ships/

Marinepublic. (n.d.). Ship operations management: Command and crew safety. Retrieved November 3, 2025, https://www.marinepublic.com/blogs/training/175521-ship-operations-management-command-and-crew-safety

Ascertra. (2025, July 23). How competency management systems simplify offshore crew scheduling. Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://www.ascertra.com/blog/https/www.ascertra.com/blog/how-competency-management-systems-simplify-offshore-crew-scheduling

The Tius. (2024, May 28). Seafarer retention and the challenges of keeping the best ashore and at sea. Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://thetius.com/seafarer-retention-and-the-challenges-of-keeping-the-best-ashore-and-at-sea/

Global Maritime Forum. (2024, September 10). Improving seafarer well‑being: Preliminary findings from the Diversity@Sea. Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://globalmaritimeforum.org/insight/improving-seafarer-well-being-preliminary-findings-from-the-diversity-sea/

Martide. (2025, October 5). Mental health and wellness for seafarers. Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://www.martide.com/en/blog/mental-health-and-wellness-for-seafarers