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Shipping: Crew

Asked by Sir Ashley FoxConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 6 July 2026UIN 14570

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions Ministers and officials have had since 4 July 2024 with representatives of the maritime industry, maritime training providers and trade unions on barriers to employing 16 and 17-year-old seafarers.

Answered by Keir Mather

Ministers and officials regularly engage with the maritime industry, maritime training providers and trade unions. 16 and 17-year-olds wishing to become seafarers can undertake training to do so. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, 1978, as amended, requires that to obtain certificates for certain seafarer positions you must be at least 18 years old.

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