The Kotor-based Association of Maritime Captains of Montenegro has expressed criticism regarding the performance and outcomes of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs under the leadership of Filip Radulović from the Europe Now Movement.

They described the initiatives that Radulović refers to as reforms as mere “painting over a rose,” indicating that superficial fixes do not address the deep-seated issues within a system that affects thousands of Montenegrin seafarers, who contribute over 300 million euros annually to the national economy through their earnings.

On International Seafarers’ Day, recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) during its Manila conference in 2010, the Captains’ Association felt compelled “to draw public attention to our seafarers, who are crucial components of the global maritime and human resources chain, significantly supporting international maritime trade, the world economy, and civil society at large.”

“Every day, our seafarers face risks while carrying out their duties, often in increasingly perilous zones impacted by piracy, war, pandemics, and other challenges. They execute their jobs to a highly professional standard, even while separated from loved ones and missing family events and mourning throughout their contracts. This is why a seafarer ‘eats seven-crust bread,'” they explained. Despite these challenges, advancements in technology and the establishment of more humane working conditions have helped ensure that the profession remains appealing and relevant for many young individuals.”

“Choosing this career path teaches young people valuable lessons in respecting work responsibilities and tasks, teamwork, and cultural sensitivity towards other seafarers from diverse backgrounds. These attributes are in high demand in today’s business world. Furthermore, our seafarers play a vital role in contributing to the total gross domestic product. It’s essential to navigate, but not to live this way,” the Association remarked, commending the Ministry of Maritime Affairs for acknowledging this day for the first time since the 2010 Manila resolution, although it was also a prior obligation of earlier ministries responsible for maritime affairs.

“On this occasion, we must highlight that the international conventions concerning the education, training, and certification of seafarers (STCW) alongside standards for seafarer employment mediation (Seafarers’ Labour Convention – MLC 2006) are not thoroughly implemented in Montenegro, which could lead to serious ramifications for seafarers. This issue has been validated by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and reflects our current realities,” the Association asserted. They emphasized that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs holds the primary responsibility for enforcing these international standards and supervision, underscoring that the efficacy of implementation hinges on their diligent efforts.

“The Ministry’s institutional responsibility should involve organizing operations in an efficient manner and providing the necessary human and additional resources. Regrettably, this has yet to be accomplished. The ongoing issues are evident in the Directorate for Maritime and Inland Navigation, which has received our support since the new acting director’s appointment. This directorate also oversees tasks related to the Directorate for Maritime Economy, Seafarers and Regulatory Monitoring, indicating a troubling overlap in roles that hampers efficiency and accountability. Additionally, the professional capacity of the Directorate for Maritime Economy, Seafarers and Regulatory Monitoring is inadequate for its critical responsibilities, making it imperative to enhance this directorate with qualified personnel,” the captains stated, further indicating that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs is primarily responsible for the formulation, enforcement, and supervision of legal regulations, a function that has not been adequately fulfilled to date.

“In the education and training system for seafarers, we witness a troubling trend where it’s essentially ‘pay (certificate) and carry’ (‘cash & carry’). Existing mandatory criteria concerning instructors and examiners in the education and training system for seafarers are, in practice, not enforced. While the Association appreciates the Ministry’s recent initiative to refresh the examination staff responsible for awarding seafarer titles and qualifications, the approach taken is viewed as inappropriate and unacceptable. Those who have served honorably and professionally for years have been unjustly grouped together with individuals who supposedly had personal interests,” the Association remarked, referencing the recent dismissals and new appointments of examination boards by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs at the Port Authorities in Kotor and Bar, where the examinations for acquiring professional titles and qualifications for seafarers are conducted.

Moreover, there exists a clear conflict of interest in these appointments. Notably, the new president of all 57 examination committees in Bar is long-range captain Isidor Filipović, a former instructor at the private BMV seafarers’ training center in Bar, who has faced multiple criticisms from EMSA inspections.

In Filipović’s initial engagement in this role, a remarkable pass rate of 100 percent was recorded, with all 31 candidates successfully passing, a phenomenon unprecedented in past examinations, which typically saw passing rates between 50 and 60 percent. The Captains’ Association asserted that Montenegro lacks a regulated mediation system for seafarer employment, enabling unregulated individuals to engage in such activities, and leading to agencies from neighboring regions operating outside the Montenegrin framework.

“This results in inadequate protection for seafarer interests and reveals the state’s failure to assume its share of responsibility. Consequently, seafarers are subjected to excessive boarding fees, unfavorable contracts, substandard working environments, and non-payment post-disembarkation, among other issues. Furthermore, the Ministry lacks a clear inventory of active seafarers, their roles, and the types of vessels they operate on, as well as embarkation and disembarkation timing. Utilizing these parameters, the Ministry should formulate strategies to enhance this valuable human resource,” emphasized the Captains’ Association, highlighting that Montenegro still lacks a collective agreement for seafarers employed by foreign companies, a necessary requisite for safeguarding their interests.

Therefore, they urged the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to prioritize the swift initiation of this agreement through tripartite negotiations.

“When the Minister of Maritime Affairs boasts about orchestrating the ‘Ocean Race,’ for which he reportedly approved a substantial financial allocation, he must also ensure effective organization and the allocation of necessary resources within his Ministry, as genuine implementation of international obligations depends on it. The so-called ‘reforms’ that Minister Radulović promotes so far amount to mere ‘plum blossoms,’ prompting us to call for sincere reforms,” concluded the Association of Sea Captains of Montenegro.

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