The delegation carried out an assessment of the level of implementation of the STCW 1978 Convention, an international agreement on the training standards of seafarers, the issuance of certificates, and watchkeeping that establishes basic prescriptions for training, certification, and watchkeeping at the international level. The delegation also visited various national port platforms and maritime training schools to assess needs. Numerous other exchanges took place to identify potential gaps and other issues that will serve as a working basis in the context of the technical assistance that IMO will need to provide to the state of Cameroon. As a specialized institution of the United Nations in maritime transport and protection, the IMO is tasked with ensuring the implementation of the international convention that regulates the skills transmitted and how they are assessed. Moreover, it guarantees the effectiveness of the rules it enacts by introducing state controls on the system of issuance of patents and certifications.

Cameroon, having been placed on the blacklist of countries not complying with the maritime training standards of the STCW Convention, it was important for the government to address this, hence its call for help from the international institution in charge of these issues to help it align with international standards in this area. At the end of this working session with the Director-General of PAK, Laurent GALY appreciated the navigability conditions of the port of Kribi and found the visit to this infrastructure interesting, particularly in the field of maritime training.