The last Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention) was held in Manila (Capital of Philippines) from 21th to 25th June, 2010 during which the new amendments, to be known for wider public as “The Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code”, were adopted. After several years of intensive work and discussions between the Parties involved in drafting amendments the new revised Convention were approved, which will significantly change the maritime education, training and certification system worldwide in the future. Taking into account the global nature of the amendment - raised standards of competence for seafarers, compulsory training courses for seafarers and certification area, it would be rationally to split the process of introducing amendments in Latvia into several stages and identify key priorities.