A meeting took place at the State Maritime and Port Agency (SMPA) with a delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s General Transport Authority, currently on a visit to Azerbaijan.
During the meeting, a presentation on the activities of the SMPA was shown. The presentation reviewed the agency’s development since its establishment. It also highlighted reforms implemented in recent years in the field of seafarers’ certification.
Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Agency, Eldar Majidov, spoke about the steadily developing friendly relations between the two countries. He drew attention to the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan and the General Transport Authority of Saudi Arabia, under Regulation I/10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, regarding the mutual recognition of certificates. He noted that the document is of great importance for seafarers of both countries.
Director of the Seafarers Affairs Department of the Saudi General Transport Authority, Osama Almehmadi, expressed gratitude for the high level of organization of the meeting. The delegation spoke about cooperation in the field of seafarers’ certification, as well as the importance of experience exchange in this area.
The meeting also covered issues such as the “My Cabinet” platform introduced by the SMPA for the digital management of seafarers’ documents, the unified information system, strengthening human resource potential in maritime transport, and the implementation of obligations arising from international conventions.
At the end of the visit, the Saudi delegation became acquainted with the internationally standardized examination program for seafarers and the modern examination hall equipped with advanced technical equipment at the Agency’s administrative building.
It is noted that further meetings of the delegation in education, training, and medical centers are also planned during their visit to Azerbaijan.
