In Swedish”Yes” to super-convention
Work with ratification of the ILO super-convention for seafarers continues. The time period for submitting proposals in Sweden ran out in January, and when the responses are compiled the case will be prepared by the Swedish Ministry for Industry, Employment and Communications before a bill can be put before the Riksdag.
– A decision during the spring session of the Riksdag in 2009 is quite possible, says Leif Remahl at the Swedish Maritime Administration, who is the government expert on the case. Sweden wishes to make the ratifications at an early stage and I find it difficult to believe that the convention will not be adopted.
The convention was approved with an emphatic ”Yes” in Geneva in 2006. It will come into force when 30 states that represent at least 33% of world trade tonnage have adopted it. At the time of writing only Liberia and the Marshall Islands have ratified it, but more are on the way.
Stricter handling of foodstuffs
– The work for ratification is in full swing in all major flag states in Europe. There is a lot of pressure from Brussels. The commission wants quick ratification and the European parliament is encouraging member states to sign by 2010 at the latest.
According to Leif Remahl the convention will mean certain changes for Swedish shipping. Onboard it is mostly a question of more paperwork with administration of the new system, but also stricter handling of foodstuffs.
– At the moment anybody can work as a cook in Sweden, but when the convention is adopted everybody who cooks onboard must be trained as a cook or have another education that is approved by the Maritime Safety Inspectorate. This could present a problem for small tonnage, which often lacks trained cooks, says Leif Remahl.
For shipping companies the convention may lead to fairer competition.
– Hopefully the competition situation will even out as standards onboard become more uniform. And it was actually the international shipping association that initiated the convention from the start, explains Leif Remahl.
The biggest change will be felt by the Swedish Maritime Agency. New detailed regulations must be drawn up and incorporated into the rules, and inspectors must be trained.
Linda Sundgren
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