Trainings & Certification of Seafarers

Seafarers serving onboard vessels must be properly trained, certified, and competent for their assigned shipboard duties and responsibilities. In Singapore, the certification of seafarers is administered by the Seafarers Skills Upgrading, Certification and Accreditation Department of MPA.

Implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW 1978), as amended

Singapore is a signatory to the STCW 1978, as amended. MPA serves as Singapore national maritime administration responsible for the implementation of STCW requirements.

Responsibilities and functions of the Seafarers Skills Upgrading, Certification and Accreditation (SSCA) Department

The SSCA Department oversees all matters relating to seafarer training and certification in Singapore. Its primary responsibilities and functions include:

• conducting assessments for seafarers, including oral and simulator evaluations, in accordance with established standards and requirements. Upon successful completion of evaluations, the department issues appropriate certificates qualifying seafarers with requisite knowledge and competencies to serve aboard vessels, such as Certificates of Competency.

• evaluating seafarers' training to ensure all criteria are met before issuances of MPA certificates or endorsements, to qualify personnel for specialised shipboard duties and responsibilities, including Tanker Endorsements.
• reviewing and evaluating proposals for training courses submitted by training service providers, including conducting of inspections, to ensure such proposals fulfil MPA’s requirements and guidelines for course approvals.
• monitoring the conduct of training courses by recognised training service providers, to ensure continued compliance with MPA’s prevailing requirements. 

Recognition of STCW certificates

STCW Regulation I/10 allows an administration to recognise another administration’s issued STCW certificates, through a signed undertaking.

MPA may accept certificates issued by or on behalf of administrations that have established STCW certificate recognition arrangements with Singapore (refer to relevant shipping circular for specific details).

Applications for Certification and Endorsements, Revalidation of COC, Tanker Endorsements

Enquiries

Seafarers Skills Upgrading, Certification and accreditation Department
Shipping Division
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
460 Alexandra Road #21-00
mTower Singapore 119963
Telephone: (65) 6375 6223 
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