Renewal of captain and officers certificates simplified

The State Maritime and Port Agency has introduced another significant reform aimed at further improving the seafarer certification system. Under the new arrangements, the revalidation process for Certificates of Competency (CoCs) issued to masters and officers will be carried out through a simplified and more efficient mechanism.

According to the new rules, masters and officers who submit documentary evidence of approved seagoing service in a capacity appropriate to the certificate held for a period of at least twelve months in total during the preceding five years, or three months in total during the preceding six months immediately prior to revalidating, and who successfully complete the relevant instruction organized by the Agency, will be eligible to renew their Certificates of Competency without attending a refresher training course or passing an approved test.

The new mechanism will enter into force on 22 June 2026. Seafarers whose Certificates of Competency issued before that date are due to expire within six months may apply to the Agency for renewal under the new procedure.

Under the regulations currently in force, the renewal of Certificates of Competency for masters and officers requires compliance with one of the following conditions:

- submission of documentary evidence of approved seagoing service in a capacity appropriate to the certificate held for a period of at least twelve months in total during the preceding five years, or three months in total during the preceding six months immediately prior to revalidating and successfully completing an approved training course; or

- passing an approved test conducted by the Agency, provided that the applicant can demonstrate at least 12 months of approved seagoing service within the preceding five years, or at least three months within the preceding six months.

For individuals who do not meet the seagoing service requirements, the obligation to successfully completing an approved training course or to passing an approved test conducted by the Agency will remain unchanged.

The amendments have been introduced to ensure compliance with the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW Convention), to optimize certification procedures, reduce administrative burdens, and provide more efficient services to seafarers.