No. 24 of 2015 - MARITIME CLUSTER FUND SUPPORT FOR REVALIDATION OF CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY

MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

SHIPPING CIRCULAR TO SHIPOWNERS

NO 24 OF 2015

MPA Shipping Division

460 Alexandra Road

#21-00, PSA Building

Singapore 119963

http://www.mpa.gov.sg

8 October 2015

Attention:

• Shipowners and ship managers
• Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents who are holders of

certificates of competency issued by Singapore

MARITIME CLUSTER FUND SUPPORT FOR REVALIDATION OF CERTIFICATE

OF COMPETENCY

1. This circular refers to MPA Shipping Circular No. 10 of 2014, dated 25 June

2014, to advise holders of Singapore-issued certificates of competency (CoCs) of the

need to revalidate their CoCs to meet the requirements of the 2010 Manila

amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification

and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW2010) and to be able to serve on board a

ship.

1. CoCs issued by Singapore in compliance with the 1995 amendments to the

STCW are valid up to 31 December 2016. Holders of existing Singapore-issued

CoCs are required to take up additional courses in order to comply with the

competency requirements of the 2010 Manila amendments to the STCW, and are

advised to refer to Shipping Circular No. 10 of 2014 for the details of additional

training required.

Maritime Cluster Fund Support

1. To minimise the financial burden resulting from the revalidation exercise, MPA

will be providing Maritime Cluster Fund – Manpower Development (MCF-MD) co-

funding support for local seafarers (Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent

Residents) to attend appropriate STCW courses required to revalidate their

Singapore-issued CoCs.

1. The general guidelines of MCF-MD support are as follows:

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a. Eligibility: All Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents

on self-sponsorship or company-sponsorship holding Singapore-issued CoCs;

b. Validity of scheme: Covers

i. All revalidation courses conducted and completed by 31 December

2016; and

ii. Retrospective funding support for locals who have completed the

CoC revalidation courses from 25 June 2014 onwards;

c. Supportable courses: List of mandatory CoC revalidation course types

approved by MPA and as listed in Shipping Circular No. 10 of 2014; and

performed in Training institutes, in Singapore;

d. Co-funding level from MCF-MD: 70% co-funding support of qualifying

course fees.

1. Please refer to Annex A for instructions to seek MCF-MD support for the

revalidation of CoCs.

1. Queries regarding revalidation of CoCs should be emailed to

coc@mpa.gov.sg or addressed to Capt I G Sangameswar at Tel no. (65) 6375 6205

or Mr. Zulfiqur Husain (for Marine Engineer Officers) at Tel: (65) 375 6218.

1. Queries regarding MCF support should be emailed to mcf@mpa.gov.sg or

addressed to Ms Suhaizianti Talib at Tel no. (65) 6375 1203.

TAN SUAN JOW

DIRECTOR OF MARINE

MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

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ANNEX A

Please refer to the relevant sections on the instructions to seek MCF support for

CoC revalidation.

Section A: For maritime companies interested to sponsor their employees to

attend CoC revalidation courses from 1 October 2015

1. Decide on the CoC revalidation courses from the list of approved course

providers;

1. Complete and submit the “MCF Application Form for CoC Revalidation

Courses – For use by company / union” to the selected course provider

[Form is available on MPA’s website at www.mpa.gov.sg];

1. Course providers will submit MCF Claim Form, on behalf of sponsoring

maritime companies, to MPA to seek reimbursement of course fees;

1. MPA to verify and process claims;
2. Once verified, MPA will disburse 70% of course fees (excluding GST) back to

course providers;

1. Course providers will reimburse companies accordingly.

Section B: For maritime companies which sponsored their employees to

attend CoC revalidation courses from 25 June 2014 to 30 September 2015, and

wish to apply for MCF co-funding

1. Complete and submit the “MCF Claim Form for CoC Revalidation Courses

– For use by company / union” to MPA directly. [Form is available on MPA’s

website at www.mpa.gov.sg];

1. MPA to verify and process claims;
2. Once verified, MPA will disburse 70% of course fees, excluding GST, back to

the companies directly.

Section C: For maritime companies who have sponsored their employees to

attend CoC revalidation courses from 25 June 2014 and 30 September 2015,

and have received MCF funding

• No action is required as these companies have benefitted from MCF co-

funding (i.e. 70% of course fees, excluding GST), which is similar to the new

MCF Support for CoC revalidation.

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Section D: For individuals, on company-sponsorship, who are attending CoC

revalidation courses from 1 October 2015

• Advise your company to refer to the instructions under Section A;

• No action required on your part

Section E: For individuals, on self-sponsorship, who are attending CoC

revalidation courses from 1 October 2015

1. Proceed to attend the CoC revalidation course conducted by any of the

approved course providers;

1. Complete and submit the “MCF Claim Form for CoC Revalidation Courses

– For use by individuals” to MPA directly. [Form is available on MPA’s

website at www.mpa.gov.sg];

1. MPA to verify and process claims;
2. Once verified, MPA will disburse 70% of course fees (excluding GST) back to

individuals directly.

Section F: For individuals, on self-sponsorship, who have attended CoC

revalidation courses from 25 June 2014 to 30 September 2015.

1. Complete and submit the “MCF Claim Form for CoC Revalidation Courses

– For use by individuals” to MPA directly. [Form is available on MPA’s

website at www.mpa.gov.sg];

1. MPA to verify and process claims;
2. Once verified, MPA will disburse 70% of course fees (excluding GST) back to

individuals directly.

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