No. 6 of 2021 - EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OF STCW CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY SINGAPORE

MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

SHIPPING CIRCULAR

NO. 6 OF 2021

MPA Shipping Division

460 Alexandra Road

#21-00, mTower

Singapore 119963

http://www.mpa.gov.sg

01 April 2021

Applicable to: Holders of certificates of competency and GMDSS

General/Restricted Operator Certificate issued by Singapore, Flag states, Port States

and Shipowners, ship managers, agents and anyone who engage the services of

seafarers holding certificates of competency and GMDSS General/Restricted

Operator Certificate issued by Singapore.

EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OF STCW CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY SINGAPORE

1 This circular supersedes MPA Shipping Circulars No. 06 of 2020 and No. 16 of

2020.

2 The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Infocomm Media

Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) note that due to the ongoing COVID-19

situation, some seafarers may still face challenges in renewing their certificates issued

under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch

keeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended (the STCW Convention).

3 The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has on 2 April 2020, issued a

Circular Letter No.4204/Add.5/Rev.1 to encourage STCW certificates issuing

administrations to take a pragmatic and practical approach regarding the extension of

certificates, including medical certificates, and endorsements due to the COVID-19

outbreak.

4 In line with the IMO’s guidelines and in view of the persistent difficulties in

revalidating STCW certificates due to COVID-19 pandemic, MPA and IMDA have

decided to continue extending the validity of STCW certificates issued by Singapore

on basis of case by case.

5 Seafarers shall complete the declaration form provided in Annex A of this

circular and submit to MPA(COC@mpa.gov.sg) and/or IMDA( info@imda.gov.sg)

respectively for the request to extend the validity of their certificate(s). MPA/IMDA

will carry out assessment on the request to determine whether to extend the validity

of the certificate(s) and length of extension to be granted, thereafter issue a letter or

an email to inform the applicant on the outcomes of the assessment. If required,

Page 1 of 3

MPA/IMDA may schedule a telephone call or video-conference call with the seafarer

as part of the assessment.

6 A copy of the completed declaration form and the confirmation of extension

issued by MPA and/or IMDA should be kept with the seafarer and may be used as

proof of MPA/IMDA’s approval.

REVALIDAITION OF CERTIFICATES

7 Notwithstanding the above, seafarers who can renew their certificates before

the expiry date of the certificate are strongly encouraged to apply for revalidation of

the certificate before the expiry date. Certificates that are revalidated successfully will

be extended for 5 years from the date of issue printed on the certificate. Please refer

to MPA Shipping Circular No. 09 of 2020 and a joint circular with IMDA dated 6 June

2019 (i.e. MPA Shipping Circular No. 07 of 2019) for the details of revalidation.

8 Any queries regarding this circular should be directed to MPA (Email:

COC@mpa.gov.sg) or IMDA (Email: info@imda.gov.sg)

CHEAH AUN AUN (MR)

DIRECTOR OF MARINE

MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

And

YUVARANI THANGAVELU (MS)

DIRECTOR OF LICENSING & ENFORCEMENT, INVESTIGATION, AND

PROSECUTION

INFOCOMM MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

Page 2 of 3

ANNEX A

DECLARATION FOR EXTENSION OF COC/GOC/OTHER STCW CERTIFICATES*

To: Director of Marine, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) / Director of

Licensing & Enforcement, Investigation, and Prosecution, Infocomm Media

Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA)*

Dear Sir/Madam,

I, [Name as printed in the Certificate] ___________________, the holder of following

Certificate(s):(please attach a copy of the certificate(s))

Title of Certificate Certificate Number Expiry Date Issued by

Due to the reason (please provide brief details):

I am not able to revalidate the above listed certificate(s) before their expiry date(s) due

to the reasons as stated above. I hereby seek your consideration to extend the validity

of the above listed certificate(s). I will endeavour to revalidate the certificate(s) once

an opportunity arises.

I hereby declare, that I understand, accept and confirm that it is an offence and I will

be liable for any disciplinary actions arising out of, should the above information be

found untrue.

Yours Sincerely,

Name/Signature/Date

*

Delete as appropriate

Page 3 of 3