The State Maritime and Port Agency has made a significant change to the seafarer certification system. The process of renewing certificates (diplomas) for captains and officers has been simplified.
According to sea-news.az under the new regulations, captains and officers who have at least 12 months of sea service within the last 5 years, or at least 3 months within the last 6 months, will be able to renew their documents without taking an exam or undergoing a refresher course. To do this, it will be sufficient to simply submit a document confirming their sea service and complete a brief briefing at the Agency.
This innovation will come into effect on June 22, 2026. Seafarers whose certificates have less than 6 months until expiration can apply for renewal starting now.
Under the rules in force until now, even if seafarers had the required sea service, they additionally had to either complete a refresher course or participate in the Agency’s examination. The new decision abolishes these requirements. However, the course or exam requirement will remain in force for individuals who do not possess the necessary sea service.
The purpose of this amendment is to make things easier for seafarers, accelerate the documentation process, and align with the requirements of the international convention.
