More jobs for Lankan seafarers

by Hiran H. Senewiratne

The Directorate of Merchant Shipping has signed an agreement with St. Vincent and Grenadine to provide training for seafarers for service on board vessels registered in that country, recently.

This will facilitate Sri Lankan seafarers to work in ships under their flags depending on their vessel owners' wish. But before, the agreement Sri Lankan seafarers were not permitted to work in that country, Director of Merchant Shipping Shantha Weerakoon said.

He said that this is a government to government agreement and will definitely help our seafarers and they recognised our seafarer work on ships registered in that country.

This is an excellent opportunity for Sri Lankan seafarers to work in highly paid jobs in their vessels, Weerakoon said.

He said salaries for a low grade seafarers start from US$ 450-500, while for a Captain and Chief Engineer it would be more than US$ 4,000 to 5,000 in their registered ships.

This will also benefits local vessel owners who are looking for tax benefits which will register with that country.

St. Vincent and Grenadine is a North American country which has more than 900 vessels under the flag and many foreign vessels have been registered under the country's flag, Director Merchant Shipping said. The Merchant Shipping Division operates under the Ministry of Ports and Aviation.