WHEREAS, Ethiopia has ratified the STCW Convention and its amendments that are incorporated into the national laws of the country by virtue of the Federal Proclamation No.349/2003 for their enforcement in the national legal regimes;

NOW THEREFORE, these Directives are issued by the Ministry of Transport, in accordance with power vested on it by the Maritime Sector Administration Proclamation No. 549/199 Art. 6 (17) , 6(18)and International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers, 1978 as amended, to prescribe standards for inspection, audit, accreditation and issuance of certificate for Maritime Academies offering maritime education in Ethiopia.