Greece and the United States signed an agreement Wednesday recognizing certificates of competence issued by the U.S. authorities responsible for certifying seafarers.
The agreement was signed in Athens on October 7, 2026, as part of the sixth Greece-US Strategic Dialogue. It was completed under the supervision of Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias and is intended to further strengthen maritime cooperation between the two countries.
Under the agreement, Greece will recognize Certificates of Competence issued by the competent U.S. authorities. The recognition is carried out in accordance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, known as the STCW Convention.
The agreement is expected to deepen Greece-US cooperation in the maritime sector while strengthening the countries’ broader long-standing strategic partnership.
Focus on maritime training and certification
The agreement reflects the shared intention of Greece and the United States to further develop cooperation at the international level, particularly in maritime training, seafarer certification and the implementation of international standards established under the STCW Convention.
It also confirms the two countries’ commitment to promoting high standards of quality and safety in maritime education and training, as well as to strengthening cooperation for the benefit of the international maritime community.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Hellenic Republic and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy by Emmanouil Koutoulakis, secretary-general for Maritime Affairs and Ports.
