Updated list of countries with recognised certificates of competency

The Department of Merchant Shipping has issued an updated list of countries whose certificates of competency are accepted for the issue of endorsements recognising non-Cyprus certificates of competency under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 (as amended).

Georgia has been removed from the list in accordance with the November 22 2010 decision of the European Commission, which withdrew the recognition that had been granted according to Article 18(3c) of EU Directive 2001/25/EC. The department will no longer issue Cyprus endorsements recognising Georgian certificates of competency, but issued endorsements remain valid until they expire. The department will reissue Cyprus endorsements recognising Georgian certificates to masters and officers only on the basis of approved seagoing service on board Cyprus-flagged ships, involving the performance of duties appropriate to the certificate held, for an accumulated period of at least one year during the preceding five years.

The updated list of countries whose certificates of competency are accepted is as follows.

*Countries in the process of being assessed by the European Commission.

For further information on this topic please contact Costas Stamatiou at Andreas Neocleous & Co LLC by telephone (+357 25 110 000), fax (+357 25 110 001) or email ([email protected]).