Pakistan's Maritime Training and Examination system can be rightly proud of conducting examination of seafarers compatible to world class standards, thus Pakistani qualified officers are in great demand on foreign flag vessels and now even the most reputed Maersk Line is recruiting Pakistani officers due to their quality, diligence.
Maritime community can keep its head up and face any competition for jobs. Pakistan has also qualified for the IMO white list and its renewal till 2010, as IMO auditors did find Pakistani training and examination systems compatible with developed world.
A computerised record of all certificates issued is maintained and verification is promptly adhered too. Pakistani merchant marine officers enjoy a track record of zero accidents and no fraud licenses were ever issued. The period of 2003 to 2007 saw renewal of white list, signing of CLC-92, OPRC convention and being in the list of just 13 countries adhering to ISPS code made mandatory to solas convention.
Pakistan also emerged in the list of first three countries to sign SID (Seaman identity document) convention of ILO C-185. Pakistani Seafarer have been issued machine readable SID and machine printed seafarers book. Pakistan is fully compliant to revised STCW convention.
The image of Pakistan being tarnished by western media, could not document any record of Pakistani seafarer involved in any terrorist or fraudulent practices. This fact has been acknowledged by Secretary General of IMO in a letter to US authorities for not allowing shore leave to Pakistani merchant mariners sailing on foreign flag vessels. The IMO supported that Pakistani seafarers have clean record.
I think we, Pakistanis, cause more damage to our image by calling their own country as failed state etc. I have yet to see a talk show or article where Pakistani media has highlighted the good role of Pakistani merchant mariners, our Ambassadors at High Seas on foreign flag vessels, as ship owning under Pak flag is insignificant. The leading maritime countries like Panama, Philippines, who earn billions of dollar were never publicised for issuing death licenses on mere payment of money.
We must highlight our segment of society which has kept and is keeping Pakistani flag at top, despite remaining dormant in their own country. The crusades launched locally against merchant marine has forced skilled people to get recognition abroad. Commercial maritime experts were virtually chased out by their adversaries. Page 2 of 4 The ITF showed its concern, but the clout and support enjoyed by countries involved in fraudulent practices are ignored, however a slight mishap of Pakistanis are blown out of proportion.
On the contrary Government of India has launched a "Maritime hand book" publicising the Indian merchant marine officers and their achievements. The Indian Government markets their seafarers, rather than impeding growth with beauracratic snags. Pakistani seafarers remit about 70 mill USD P.A and little effort is needed to train human resource potential of Pakistan and I am confident, if we have 50,000 seafarers the benefit to exchequer can be enhanced to 0.5 bill USD.
I find it pertinent to elaborate such frauds, highlighted by IMO/ITF and SIRC. Fraud on massive scale: A report commissioned by the International Maritime Organisation, the United Nations agency responsible for regulating world shipping, has revealed that fraud is taking place on a massive scale. This is not just in Panama, where new revelations suggest systematic abuse of the certificate issuing process, but in many other countries too.
The report, by the U.K. based Seafarers 'International Research Centre (SIRC) found 12,635 cases of forged certificates, as well as many incidents of laundering, where forgeries were used to obtain legal qualifications from authorities which failed to check the originals.
The Panama Maritime authority has launched an inquiry into the Cockroft certificate fiasco while fending off a series of other attacks over its licensing, from SIRC and elsewhere. In the Philippines, for example, Panamanian consulate officials are alleged to have been complicit in delaying documentation so that a private company could charge would be Filipino seafarers thousands of dollars for a speedier permit-issuing service.
David Cockroft General Secretary of ITF was issued certificate through a intermediary to a maritime official in Panama on payment of 4500 USD, without having been to a nautical college or seafaring experience.
Around 6000 vessels are sailing under Panama's flag of convenience, a flag, like most other FOC's register vessel for profits with little consideration for safe, responsible shipping. Panama has sacked 14 of its licensing staff, and begun blaming international inspection companies for the scandals.
Meanwhile the whole world shipping community has been thrown into a crisis of credibility. The certification scandal coincides on the one hand with publicity over the devastating findings of the international Commission on Shipping and on the other with the IMO's creation of a "While list" of flag states deemed responsible enough to issue seafaring certificates. Panama is one of 71 countries endorsed by the list.
Page 3 of 4 The SIRC report gathered feedback from 54 maritime administration, 39 percent of which said they had detected forged certificates and endorsements. More information came from 35 employers and 1,105 seafarers from six countries in south and south-east Asia and eastern Europe.
Nine percent of the seafarers admitted using fraudulent certificates, with officers and ratings equally likely to have counterfeit papers. Meanwhile 17 percent had knowingly sailed with other seafarers who were using fraudulently obtained certificates. Around 85 percent of the employers had detected fraud in the last five years.
SIRC believes these results indicate that around 40,500 people from the countries represented are sailing illegally. Counterfeit papers appear to be particularly prevalent among officers, war but the motivation for using them varies widely. Short cuts to a job at sea: Many seafarers are keen to start earning money at sea without first undergoing training, others to obtain a fast promotion. Some wish to hide details of their health or age, which might impede their chances in the job market.
When it comes to security checks, watermarks or lamination are often seen as reassurance enough, but these do not address the problem of certificates that may be issued fraudulently by maritime authorities. Some administrations verify no more than five percent of certificates issued overseas, and in any case they are unsure what signs of authenticity to look for. Others ignore the problem altogether.
SIRC has recommended the introduction of stronger anti fraud techniques, more funding for training and the provision of enhanced career opportunities for seafarers.
But who will invest in better training or security in a largely unpoliced market where corruption brings cheap labour and high profit margins? The IMO is the only industrywise international regulatory authority. Yet critics say its hands are tied by a funding system under which 158 member states pay according to the size of their fleets.
With the biggest fleet in the world, Panama pays over 15 percent of the IMO's annual budget. IMO is virtually dominated by groups and the clout of groups ensure milder actions without publicity. However in case of country like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka who have no clout at all, the risks are far greater for penal action and publicity.
The recent incident of holding Greek and Philippine crew of Tasman Spirit at Karachi for enquiry only, brought the Secretary General of IMO to Pakistan to ensure their release without guarantee of any compensation for pollution from the Greek Owners of Malta registered vessel.
I feel that SARC countries and other Asian countries must join hands in IMO to have some clout in IMO so that interest of developing countries can be protected. I think this may be a food for thought for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Ports and Shipping and Directorate General of Ports and Shipping an extension of Ministry and focal point of IMO.
All countries have permanent representatives posted at IMO eg Iran, India, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia in addition to major maritime nations. They ensure to protect their country's maritime interest being fully conversant with constitution of IMO, professionally, academically, qualified in maritime filed, being well conversant with working of MSC, MEPC, TCC, committee and at times chairing sessions where rules are framed and made obligatory for all maritime nations.
Pakistan definitely needs to be represented permanently in all meetings a full time assignment, thus calling for appointment of a permanent representative who should be highly qualified maritime professional having experience of working of IMO. I, reluctantly propose fearing some incompetent generalist may fill this slot by pulling strings, unlike Iran, India, Saudi Arabia and major maritime countries where merit and international exposure is criteria for such appointments.
What I fear is voluntary audit scheme will be enforced by IMO and countries not represented will be targeted, thus throwing about 20,000 Pakistani seafarers jobless, although being competent, but having no clout in regulatory maritime regime ie.
IMO It is necessary to appoint skilled officers in maritime training and examination system in Pakistan as most of the officers have retired or will be retiring before VAS is enforced in 2010. Let us at last rise above the personal and vested interest for the sake of our country's credibility.
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