The Deputy Ministry of Shipping has announced that, in accordance with Regulation V/4 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 as amended, from January 1 2020 all masters, chief officers and officers in charge of a navigational watch serving on board Cyprus-flagged vessels operating in polar waters must hold the appropriate certificate of proficiency in training, as required by the International Maritime Organisation's International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters.

Those who have successfully completed an approved training course can apply for a certificate of proficiency using the application form on the Deputy Ministry of Shipping website. Further, for the first six months of 2020 seafarers who have accumulated the requisite experience in polar waters will also be able to apply for a certificate of proficiency. The authorities will accept certificates of proficiency issued by countries with recognised certificates of competency.

For further information on this topic please contact Costas Stamatiou at Elias Neocleous & Co LLC by telephone (+357 25 110 110) or email ([email protected]). The Elias Neocleous & Co LLC website can be accessed at www.neo.law.

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