Information on the implementation of MSC.560(108) by the French State

What is MSC.560(108) ?

The Maritime Safety Committee ("MSC") of the IMO at its 108th session adopted the resolution MSC.560(108) on 23 May 2024 to amend the STCW Code.

Resolution MSC.560(108) on the 2024 amendments to Part A of the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) code introduces a new competency to Table A-VI/1-4 entitled "Contribute to the prevention of and response to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault".

This leads to changes in the training requirements for the mandatory minimum requirements for safety familiarization, basic training and instruction for all seafarers (section A-VI/1) and more specifically those of the minimum standard of competence in personal safety and social responsibilities (table above).

They are transposed into French maritime vocational training law through the “certificat de base à la sécurité” (CFBS or STCW BST), which is compulsory for all seafarers assigned specific duties related to safety and pollution prevention on board merchant ships or yachts.

Resolution MSC.560(108) provides that the amendment procedure is that described in Article XII of the STCW Convention, and the amendments will enter into force accordingly. The resolution refers to the procedure set out in Article XII (1)(a)(vii)(2) and sets 1 July 2025 as the date of acceptance of the amendments, with the date of entry into force being 1 January 2026.

Decision of the French administration

As the transposition of these amendments is not subject to transitional provisions, it is therefore necessary to adapt these requirements to seafarers who already hold a basic safety training certificate.

In order to allow for the continuity of the activities of seafarers and ships, it has been decided that seafarers who hold a "certificat de base à la sécurité" issued before the date of transposition of the amendments into French law will have the validity of their "certificat de base à la sécurité" extended as normal until the expiry of their five-year validity period.

During the five-year refresher training provided for in Article 19 of the Order of 24 July 2013 on the revalidation of maritime training certificates, additional training on combating violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, intimidation and sexual assault, will be provided to these seafarers.

Please find below a letter signed by the Director of Seafarers that can be transmitted to Port State authorities during a control if needed.