P.R. China MSA has recently issued a notice on the re-validation of seafarer competence certificates and training qualification certificates for seagoing ships, aiming to fulfill the amended International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention) and to ensure the smooth progress of the re-validation work for seafarer competence certificates and training qualification certificates.

According to the Rules of the People's Republic of China for the Competency Examination and Certification of Seafarers Serving in Seagoing Ships and the Management Measures for the Issuance of Training Qualification Certificates for Seafarers of the People's Republic of China, the new notice clarifies the requirements for knowledge update training and simulator training needed by captains and senior crew members to apply for the re-validation of their competency certificates. Crew members who need to re-validate their training qualification certificates and participate in knowledge update training should also complete the corresponding training courses.

Training institutions that have obtained the seafarer training permit for seagoing ships and shipping companies that meet specific requirements can carry out knowledge update training and simulator training. Shipping companies conducting such training need to have necessary teaching materials, facilities and equipment, as well as appropriately trained company trainers, and incorporate the training into the company's safety management system (ISM), obtaining a Document of Compliance (DOC).

The notice also stipulates that training institutions and shipping companies must carry out training according to the training outlines specified in the annex and obtain confirmation from the maritime administration authority before the training. Meanwhile, they must maintain complete training and assessment records and report the assessment results to the maritime administration authority within two working days after the assessment ends.

For seafarers whose competency certificates have expired for less than 10 years, the validity period of the re-validated certificate shall not exceed 5 years from the date of the last passed examination or assessment. For seafarers whose competency certificates have expired for 10 years or more, the validity period of the re-validated certificate shall not exceed 5 years from the date of completion of the onboard training.

The notice will be implemented from the date of issuance, and the related notice issued in 2016 (HCY [2016] No. 685) will be abolished simultaneously.

The P.R. China MSA stated that the new regulations will help to improve the professional skills and safety awareness of seafarers, ensuring the healthy development of the maritime industry and the competency of seafarers.