S7 Ep6: Arvind Natrajan, Senior Manager and IMO representative, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)

About this episode

Arvind Natrajan discusses the latest IMO developments in seafarer training for new fuels and technologies.

We take stock of the latest developments in IMO’s work to update seafarer training requirements for the arrival of new fuels and technologies. Podcast highlights Arvind hails the two sets of interim training guidelines for seafarers working on ships using methanol and ammonia as fuel, which were agreed at the IMO’s HTW Sub-Committee in February, as ‘a big step ahead’ and a ‘great achievement.’ He explains why he expects the industry to embrace those guidelines even though they are not mandatory. He also comments on the ongoing revision of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), which sets mandatory standards for seafarer training. He describes progress as ‘slow’ but ‘encouraging’, and outlines how IMO delegates are trying to ensure the new convention will be ‘future-proof’ for the 2040s and 2050s, amid rapid technology developments. A former seafarer and captain himself, he shares his views on what crews need in order to be prepared to safely deal with new fuels and technologies, insisting on the importance of onboard familiarisation and of avoiding overburdening seafarers with additional training requirements…

People in this episode

Guest: Arvind Natrajan

Topics covered

• seafarer training
• new fuels
• IMO guidelines
• maritime industry
• technology developments

Keywords

• seafarer training
• IMO
• methanol
• ammonia
• alternative fuels
• STCW
• maritime safety

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: International Chamber of Shipping, IMO

Books & works: International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers

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