The State of Qatar and the Republic of Panama have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on mutual recognition of seafarer’s certificates.

The MoU was signed by Minister of Transport H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama H.E. Carlos Arturo Hoyos.

The MoU comes within the framework of carrying out the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), an international treaty established by the IMO, and its amendments. The MoU helps advance both countries’ commitment to best international standards in the field.

This Memorandum applies to the certificates of seafarers who serve on registered merchant ships of any of the two parties and sail under its flag except for those who serve on the ships mentioned in Article 3 of the STCW Convention, with an affirmation that this MoU does not contradict the local laws of the two countries.

Following the signing ceremony, the two officials discussed aspects of bilateral cooperation in transportation industry and advancing them.