STCW identification could hold key to solving seafarer visa hold-up

European Union countries could be ready to accept seafarer’s Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) as evidence of key worker status for allowing them to travel freely.

Seafarers' International Labour Organization (ILO) identification is also seen as an option.

As TradeWinds earlier reported, the closure of European Union missions in the main seafarer supply countries have prevented mariners securing visas to allow them to relieve around 200,000 crew members now trapped on vessels.