MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is stepping up efforts to expand international employment opportunities for Indonesian fishing vessel personnel by securing recognition of their competency certificates from partner countries.
Portugal and Spain are among the countries Indonesia is engaging with to improve access to overseas employment and strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian maritime and fisheries professionals.
The initiative was discussed by a KKP delegation during the Indonesia–Europe Business Forum (IEBF) 2026, held in Lisbon, Portugal, and Madrid, Spain, from October 4 to 11, 2026. Discussions covered mutual recognition of certification, alignment of competency standards, and opportunities for cooperation in developing human resources for the marine and fisheries sector.
The cooperation is intended to open employment opportunities for Indonesian fishing vessel personnel at various levels, ranging from operational-level crew, or ratings, to officers, captains, and marine engineers. All placements must comply with the relevant qualifications, safety standards, and requirements established by the destination countries.
Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasized that recognition of certification is an important step toward ensuring that the competencies of Indonesian fishing vessel personnel are more widely accepted by partner countries.
“Recognition of certification needs to be expanded so that the competencies of Indonesian fishing vessel personnel are accepted in partner countries, including at the officer level. These efforts must continue to adhere to competency standards, safety requirements, and crew protection,” Trenggono said in an official statement issued in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
Indonesia and Portugal Agree on Mutual Recognition of Certificates
One of the key outcomes of the meeting in Portugal was the signing of the Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of the Personnel Certification of Fishing Vessels Between the Portuguese Republic and the Republic of Indonesia. The agreement establishes mutual recognition of competency certificates and certificates of proficiency for fishing vessel personnel issued by the competent authorities of both countries.
The arrangement is based on the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) 1995. This convention serves as an international reference for establishing training, certification, and watchkeeping standards for fishing vessel personnel.
Head of the Agency for Marine and Fisheries Human Resources Development and Extension (BPPSDM KP), I Nyoman Radiarta, explained that the agreement creates opportunities for Indonesian and Portuguese fishing vessel personnel to work aboard vessels flying the flag of the partner country through a mechanism for certificate recognition and endorsement.
Personnel who may benefit from this mechanism include captains, deck officers, marine engineers, and radio operators. Its implementation will depend on whether their qualifications meet the applicable requirements in each country.
Recognition of these certificates is an important step toward matching the competencies of Indonesian workers with the needs of the international fishing industry.
For seafarers, cross-border recognition can broaden their employment options. For the industry, the mechanism could help address demand for qualified professionals who meet the required standards.
Expanding Certificate Recognition with Spain
In addition to Portugal, KKP is encouraging an update to the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) signed by Indonesia and Spain in 2023. The update is needed to align certificate recognition with developments in international standards, including the 2024 amendments to the STCW-F, which entered into force on January 1, 2026.
Under the existing cooperation, certificate recognition covers fishing vessel personnel at the operational level. Indonesia has proposed expanding the scope to include officers, including captains and marine engineers.
As part of this proposal, Indonesia is seeking recognition of Level I, II, and III certificates for Ahli Nautika Kapal Penangkap Ikan (ANKAPIN), covering navigation qualifications for fishing vessels, and Ahli Teknika Kapal Penangkap Ikan (ATKAPIN), covering fishing vessel engineering qualifications. Basic Safety Training Fisheries Class I (BSTF-I) certificates and Fishing Seafarer Books have also been proposed as supporting documents for verification.
The proposed expansion is expected to improve access to international employment for Indonesian seafarers with higher-level professional competencies and certifications. As a result, opportunities would no longer be limited to operational positions but could extend to roles requiring technical expertise, navigational skills, and onboard leadership.
In discussions with Spain, Indonesia also proposed transitional arrangements to protect the continued employment of crew members already working while the MRA revision is underway. This measure is intended to ensure that changes to certificate recognition requirements do not undermine the employment security of seafarers currently serving aboard vessels.
The two countries are also exploring the establishment of a joint working group. The forum is expected to address technical issues, coordinate implementation requirements, and monitor the ongoing implementation of the agreement.
Aligning Competencies with Industry Needs
To ensure that the cooperation reflects actual labor market demand, the KKP delegation also held discussions with CEPESCA, Spain’s fisheries industry association. The talks focused on workforce requirements, positions that are difficult to fill, and opportunities to place Indonesian seafarers in professional roles suited to their competencies and qualifications.
The involvement of industry associations is important in connecting certificate recognition policies with the actual needs of fishing companies. Information about available positions and required qualifications can help Indonesia prepare its workforce more strategically.
For Indonesia, international employment opportunities must be supported by relevant education and training systems, recognized certifications, and compliance with safety standards and crew protection requirements. Strengthening professional competencies involves not only technical skills but also preparing seafarers to meet employment requirements and adapt to the working environments of destination countries.
Through stronger cooperation with Portugal and Spain, KKP aims to broaden international recognition of Indonesian fishing vessel personnel’s competencies while opening up employment opportunities across a wider range of professional levels. The success of these efforts will depend on follow-up actions under the agreements, alignment of certification standards, and effective protection for seafarers entering international labor markets.
Source: Public Relations Office, BPPSDM KP
