The Fondazione Accademia Italiana della Marina Mercantile has highlighted the importance of Law No. 70 for the "Valorization of the sea resource" which entered into force last May 10 and according to which foreign citizens regularly resident in Italy will be able to obtain the registration in the freshwater farms of the sea people and get the Italian navigation book, opening the access to a far wider audience of candidates for the marine profession. Emphasisting that this is a milestone for years, the Foundation has remembered that the Academy had already promoted, even through awareness campaigns and press articles, the need to extend this right to foreign residents, convinced that the diversity of origins represents a wealth for an area for its international nature like the marine one.

Up until the entry into force of Law 70/2026 the inscription in the matricles of the seafarers and the consequent release of the book of navigation and of Annex n.2 (mandatory documents to embark on ships flying Italian flag and to enroll in numerous formative paths of the field) were exclusive of the Italian or Community citizens.

"For years - Paola Vidotto has remembered, general manager of the Fondazione Accademia Italiana della Marina Mercantile - we claim that the talent has no passport and that the sea is, by its nature, the place where cultures meet. By law 70/2026 Italy takes a step in civilization, recognizing that those who live and work in our country have the right to build their own maritime career here. The Academy updates its bands and opens the inscriptions to all regular residents in Italy, without distinctions of citizenship".

The new legislation has in fact a direct impact on the training courses of the Accademia Italiana della Marina Mercantile that require the possession of the book of navigation as a requirement of admission and, from today, can apply also foreign citizens regularly resident in Italy to the courses: Official Cover ITS; Official Machine ITS; ITS Commissioner of Bordo; ITS Hospitality; ITS Multimedia Technician. All routes are completely free for participants, funded with resources of the Ministry of Education and Merit, the National Maritime Fund and the European Social Fund through the Liguria Region.