Post COVID-19 Reaction: APEC SEN Distance Learning Platform for Seafarers

The COVID-19 pandemic had substantial negative impacts and caused several disruptions to the global supply chain of the shipping industry. The key challenges identified in terms of maritime manpower are the Certificates of Competency (CoC) or the expiration and/or failure to complete refresher and/or revalidation courses, which directly hinder employment retention and lost opportunities at sea. To tackle this issue directly and swiftly, the creation of the APEC SEN Distance Learning Platform was suggested and approved by APEC as part of an official project. This paper introduces the APEC-wide accessible distance learning platform with the following key topics: the organisation and operation of the platform, the themes and content to be prioritised, the process of education, training, certification, and the ways to promote accreditation, mutual recognition on CoC, education and training videos by taking collaborative actions, and the development of content.