Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, STCW 78, as amended.

The Department of Merchant Shipping of the Republic of Cyprus (DMS) has issued the Circular No. 01/2018 by which the amendments to the STCW Convention and STCW Code came into force on 01.01.2018 are now adopted.

These amendments relate to the mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualification of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on passenger ships as well as mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualification of masters and deck officers on ships operating in polar waters.

The provisions of the new amendments are applicable to all Cyprus flagged passenger vessels and Cyprus flagged vessels which are operating in polar waters, foreign-flagged passenger vessels visiting Cyprus ports and seafarers employed on board the above mentioned vessels.

The DMS shall recognize seafarers’ certificates issued as per paragraph 4 of Resolution MSC.416(97), by a Country whose certificates of competency are recognised by the Republic of Cyprus.

The DMS supports the early voluntary implementation of the new amendments related to the mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualification of masters and deck officers on ships operating in polar waters.

For further information and/or assistance please contact us at shipping@anastalaw.com