On 27th May, Transport Malta issued the following notice to Shipowners, Ship Operators and Managers, Masters, Owners’ representatives and recognised organizations, with regards to the Recognition of non Maltese Certificates of Competence for Service on Maltese Ships. This notice complements regulation 8 of the Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations, 2011. This notice revokes MSD notice 43.

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 1978, as amended, requires that all officers serving on board seagoing ships and holding certificates of competence not issued by the flag Administration shall hold an endorsement attesting recognition by that Administration of their certificate of competence. The validity of an endorsement certificate is closely linked to the validity of the certificate of competence both of which have to be revalidated every five years by the respective issuing Administration. The endorsement certificate together with the relevant certificate of competence must be carried on board at all times. The Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations, 2011 provide for the issue, under certain conditions, of endorsements attesting the recognition of non Maltese certificates of competence.

Applications for endorsement certificates for officers serving on Maltese ships shall be submitted to the Merchant Shipping Directorate on the enclosed form either by the seafarer or by the company employing the seafarer. Applications shall be accompanied by such documents as may be prescribed on the application for; these include:

–         copy of certificate of competence and endorsement attesting the issue of the certificate (certificate of endorsement may be incorporated in the certificate of competence);

–         if GMDSS endorsement is required, copy of the GMDSS certificate;

–         if a chemical, gas or oil tanker endorsement is required:
copy of the familiarisation course completion certificate, and
copy of the chemical, gas or oil tanker training certificate as the case may be;

–         copy of valid Passport of Seaman’s Record Book or official Identity Card (proof of identification showing details of applicant);

–         one passport size colour photograph (JPG Format if transmitted by email) Photographs are to be taken in full face, printed on a photographic paper and should be of clear exposure;

–         copy of valid Medical Fitness Certificate issued in accordance with ILO Convention No. 73 and STCW 78, as amended;

–         relative fee of €60 (New Business/Renewal), Re-Issue/Lost, €30 (as from 1 June 2011);

–         to apply for a lost endorsement certificate, kindly file all the above documents, together with a declaration signed by applicant officer/manager/shipowner, attesting that the certificate has been lost;

–         the applicant shall be informed if one of the above requirements is not filed. Application would be discarded within 15 days from request if missing requirements are not submitted;

–         if secure delivery by courier is require, additional €25

Applications should be sent either by email in PDF format to [email protected] or by registered mail courier or through the ship owner’s local representative addressed to the Directorate. Requests for submission of applications at a Maltese Embassy or a Maltese Consulate may be considered on a case by case basis.

An officer may be accepted to serve on board Maltese ships without an endorsement certificate for a maximum period of three months, provided that the initial application has been submitted to the Directorate. An acknowledgement of application confirming receipt of the completed application shall serve as proof of application for an endorsement. The Acknowledgement however, shall not replace the endorsement certificate issued by the Directorate.

For further details, contact us on:

Tel: (00356) 21 651387
Fax: (00356) 21 651384
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.combinedmaritime.com