Seafarer Certification

Seafarers working on board a ship must have the valid certification or endorsements.

Seafarers working on board a ship are required to have a valid Certificate of Competency (CoC) or endorsement, which comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). 

Seafarers Skills Upgrading, Certification and Accreditation Department

MPA issues these certifications through its Seafarers Skills Upgrading, Certification and Accreditation Department (SSCA) which are in full compliance with the requirements of the STCW Convention.

SSCA also conducts regular assessments of the following:

  • ensure that seafarers acquire acceptable standards of skills and competence to perform the required tasks on board ships
  • masters and deck officers working in regional passenger ferries for the Type Rating Certificate in accordance with the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC)
  • maritime training institutions that provide training for all classes of CoCs and STCW ancillary courses.

Foreign CoCs

Under the STCW Convention, before recognising certificates issued by a foreign administration for employment on Singapore ships, MPA is required to evaluate the maritime training and certification processes of the country and sign an undertaking with its maritime administration.

MPA currently recognises certificates issued from 63 countries Singapore issued certificates have been similarly evaluated by foreign maritime administrations.

Singapore CoCs

Singapore CoCs are currently recognised by 62 maritime administrations to enable Singapore certificate holders to work onboard foreign flagged ships.

Applications for Certification and Endorsements, Revalidation of COC, Tanker Endorsements, Applications for assessment of eligibility for Deck Officer and Marine Engineer Officer Examinations should be made online through digitalPORT@SGTMportal.

You may also verify the COC and Certificates issued by MPA online through our Authentication of Seafarer Certificate e-service.

Email: coc@mpa.gov.sg