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 to enable the Maritime Affairs Authority to monitor and regulate the training and certification of seafarers in Ethiopia, in accordance with the Maritime Sector Administration Proclamation No. 549/1999 art 6(17), 6(18), and International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers, 1978 as amended.