Russian mariner competency law blocked

摘要

A proposed law that would require mariners to meet new competency and marine institute graduation standards in Russia has been postponed. The law was shelved on 26 December after the Russian Seamen's Union (RSU) told government officials and the Union of Russian Shipowners that it would substantially reduce the numbers of Russian officers on board Russian-flagged vessels. RSU official Alexander Bodnya told SAS that at a meeting at the Ministry of Transport it was agreed that the law be postponed for at least three years. It would have required Russian mariners to graduate at higher levels of education than are currently needed.