Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority has moved to further improvements to its online application for the Certificate of Endorsement (COE). From now on, the Receipt of Acknowledgement (ROA) will be automatically issued upon submission of COE application on the Marinet, instead of two working dates. This will enable companies to sign on officers whom the company has assessed to be competent for the intended shipboard position, while waiting for the processing of COE application or if the COE do not reach the ship in time.
- Officers holding foreign qualifications are to be issued with COE 2.
Based on Singapore’s implementation of Regulation I/10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW Convention), officers that hold Certificate of Competency (CoC) that is issued by a foreign administration should be issued with a Singapore COE, before they can be deployed on Singapore-registered vessels.
In addition, MPA issues Singapore COE only to officers having CoC from countries that have a signed Memorandum of Undertaking (MOU) with MPA under Regulation I/10 of STCW Convention.
The list of countries can be found in MPA Shipping Circular No. 21 of 2017. The validity of the COE follows the validity of the corresponding COC that the COE recognises. The original copy of the COE, together with the original COC, are to be kept on board at all times.
- Auto issuance of ROA upon application of COE.
Along with the new improvement, ROA will now be issued automatically once an application for ‘New ROA’, ‘New COE’ or ‘Replace ROA due to change of ship’s name on Marinet’ is submitted through the Marinet.
- ROA is valid for a period not exceeding 3 months from the date of issuance of the ROA.
Company may sign on their officers on board Singapore-registered ships using the ROA issued upon completion of the submission of the COE application. This ROA serve as a documentary proof that a COE application for a particular officer has been submitted to MPA pending delivery of the original COE to officer on board.
- ROA will only represent details of the officer based on information provided by the applicant in the COE application.
Therefore, the applicant should be sure and declare details in the application. Upon issuance of ROA, MPA will verify the information submitted and a COE will be issued within 2 working days if all documents submitted are in order.
Concluding, MPA Singapore warns that if the COE application is found to be not in order and rejected by MPA, company will have to replace the officer immediately.
This is a very good and achievement you make it easier for endorsement