Manning requirements

The manning requirements include the required number of crew, their qualifications, nationality, etc. for ships registered under the Singapore Flag.

Owners and masters of Singapore registered ships have to meet certain manning requirements. Following

are the requirement areas.

Nationality of the crew


There are no restrictions on the crew’s nationality. Foreign officers and ratings may sail in Singapore

ships within the capacity they are qualified to sail in.


Number of crew


Singapore ships need to be manned by a minimum number of qualified officers in accordance with the scales stated under the Merchant Shipping (Training, Certification And Manning) Regulations 1998 .The key requirements include:

  • At least three certificated deck officers (master, chief officer and second officer) are required for ships above 3,000 GT. 
  • At least three certified engineers (chief engineer, second engineer and other engineer) are required for ships above 3,000 kW.
  • There is no minimum number for ratings. The shipowner or ship-manager should propose to the Shipping Division of the MPA such number which will be subjected to approval.

Safe Manning Document (SMD)


All Singapore ships need to be safely manned and hold a Safe Manning Document (SMD) .The SMD is issued according to the SOLAS Convention and the principle contained in the IMO Resolution A.890 (21). The SMD states the minimum number and the grades of personnel required for the safe operation of the ship. Application for the SMD should be made to the Shipping Division of the MPA.

For more information, see also Circular #13 of 2004- Revised Safe Manning Document (SMD) for Singapore Ships.

Qualifications


MPA recognises foreign Certificates of Competency (CoC) issued under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 - amended in 1995 (STCW95). The CoC must be issued by an administration whose certificates are recognised by MPA.  Circular #13 of 2001 .contains a list of countries where the certificates issued is recognised.

For more information, see also Circular #8 of 2001- Application for a Certificate of Endorsement (COE) by holders of foreign Certificate of Competency

Certificate of Endorsement (COE)

An officer who holds a foreign CoC needs to be issued a COE by MPA if he wishes to serve on a Singapore registered ship. The COE is strictly issued to officers holding a CoC from countries that have signed agreements with the MPA under Regulation I/10 of STCW’95. A COE will be issued to an officer who holds a foreign CoC issued under the STCW 1978, as amended in 1995. A COE is valid for five years from the date of issue. The COE will not be valid once the applicant’s CoC expires. Ratings do not require COE. 

To apply for the COE, download the COE application form

Marinet users can also use the following guides:

·         Apply for COE (using Marinet)

·         Replace COE due to loss

·         Replace a COE due to wrong information (using Marinet)

·         View the application status of a COE (using Marinet)

Criteria of personnel operating on board ships


The qualifications required by personnel to operate on the various aspects of a ship are summarised below:

Operations

Personnel involved

Criteria

Operate in the navigational or engine room watch

·         Ratings

·         Attended an approved basic safety course that meets the requirements found in Section VI/1 of the STCW Code or a special training to meet the competency standard found in section 11/4 or 111/4 of the STCW Code; and

·         Hold a certificate issued by MPA or a foreign maritime authority

Load, discharge and take care of cargo that contains petroleum, chemical and liquefied tankers

·         Masters

·         Chief engineers

·         Chief mates

·         Second engineers

·         Any other officer or person with immediate responsiblity

·         Completed a specialised training programme specified in section A-V/1 of the STCW Code; and

·         Have six months experience on such tankers; and

·         Have a separate certificate or a tanker endorsement to their ‘mother’ certificate issued by MPA or a foreign administration under Regulation V/1-2 of the STCW’95. 

Serve on tankers and involved in cargo operations

·         Other officers

·         Ratings

·         Completed an approved shore-based fire-fighting course; and

·         Completed tanker safety training or have at least three months of seagoing service on tankers to learn safe tanker operational practices; and

·         Hold a tanker endorsement issued by MPA or a foreign maritime administration under Regulation V/1 of the STCW95

Embark, disembark, passengers and handle passengers in emergency situations on board a passenger ship or a Ro-Ro passenger ship

·         Masters

·         Chief mates

·         Chief engineer officers

·         Second engineer officers

·         Other officers

·         Ratings

·         Other personnel

·         Completed appropriate training; and

·         Hold endorsement or a certificate issued by MPA or a foreign maritime administration under Regulation V/2 or V/3 of the STCW’95


Engagement of Seamen


A rating must produce the following documents before he is allowed to sign on a ship in Singapore:

  1. For Singapore seaman: A copy of the engagement letter endorsed by the Authority.
  2. For foreign seaman: The seaman’s International passport endorsed by the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority Registration or a valid Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Manpower.

Owners who wish to employ Singapore officers and ratings may approach the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union  or Singapore Organisation of Seamen  for assistance.

Manning for Singapore registered ships

Items you may require
FormsCOE application form
Legislation Merchant Shipping (Training, Certification And Manning) Regulations 1998
Related infoSingapore Maritime Officers’ Union ,Singapore Organisation of Seamen

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