The 1978 STCW Convention was the first to establish a basic consensus which determined minimum international standards for training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers. It was bred from 40 years of declining standards, which originated in the post-war world in which newly independent states were establishing cheap ship registers as a way of gaining economic emancipation, resulting in a reduction in taxation and crew costs that were far lower than British companies could afford within the national laws, and the costs associated with UK crews were making them uncompetitive with rival owners.