Manning of Cyprus Ships

Training, Certification and Registration of Seafarers

Legislation

The training, certification and manning of Cyprus flag vessels are mainly regulated by the following statutory instruments:

Merchant Shipping (Masters and Seamen) Laws, 1963 to 2002 [Part II - Composition of Personnel of a Ship (Safe Manning) - Certificates of Maritime Competency];
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 and 1995 (Ratification) and for Matters Connected Therewith Laws, 1985 and 1998;
Merchant Shipping (Safe manning, Hours of Work and Watchkeeping) Law of 2000 (Law 105(I)/2000 as amended);
Merchant Shipping (Criminal and Disciplinary Liability of Seafarers, Suspension or Cancellation of Certificates) Law of 2000 (Law 106(I)/2000 as amended);
Merchant Shipping Medical Examination of Seafarers and Issue of Certificates) Law of 2000 (Law 107(I)/2000);
Merchant Shipping (Registration of Seafarers and Seafarers Registry) Law of 2000 (Law 108(I)/2000);
Merchant Shipping (Issue and Recognition of Certificates and Marine Training) Law 2000 (Law 109(I)/2000 as amended).

Under the Merchant Shipping (Masters and Seamen) Laws, the master of a Cyprus ship is required to enter into an employment agreement with the shipowner. Furthermore, every seaman on board must enter into an agreement with the master.

Certificates of Competency for Officers and Ratings
Officers and ratings serving on board Cyprus flag vessels are not required to hold certificates of competency issued by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, however they must hold valid and recognized certificates of competency or training documentary evidence for the post they hold on board. Officers serving on board Cyprus flag vessels are required to hold, in addition to their non-Cyprus certificate of competency, a Cyprus endorsement attesting the recognition of their certificate in accordance with the STCW 1978 Convention as amended.

A list of States whose certificates and training documentary evidence are presently recognized by Cyprus is found in Appendix 8.

As mentioned in the section Registration of Ships, passenger ships not exceeding 40 years old which are engaged in a service which includes at least two calls per month to a Cypriot port, for a period of at least six months, should engage for sea going training for a period of up to 6 months, at least 2 cadets who are Cypriot citizens and/or citizens of the EU who are resident in Cyprus for the last 6 months, if available.

Seafarer’s Identification and Sea-Service Record Book
All registered seamen shall apply for a Seafarer’s Identification and Sea service Record Book (SISR) which is issued by the Department of Merchant Shipping.

The Seafarer’s Identification and Sea-service Record booklet is valid for a period of ten years from the date of its issue, after which a new one is issued by the Department of Merchant Shipping.

The engagement and discharge of the seafarer, as well as the entries relating to the training of familiarisation with the ship, are made by the Master.

Nationality of Crew
Crew members may be of any nationality provided they are holders of certificates of competency issued by one of the countries, whose certificate of competency Cyprus has recognised. Officers have to apply for endorsement of their certificates of competency in accordance with the STCW 1978 Convention as amended.

In order to facilitate the manning of ships flying its flag, the Cypriot government has concluded a number of bilateral agreements in the field of merchant shipping with labour supplying countries (see Chapter 7: International Relations).

Fees and taxes

	CY£	EURO
Seafarers Identification and Sea Service Record Book	30	51,26
Endorsement Attesting the Recognition of a Non Cyprus Certificate	20	34,17
Cyprus Certificate Of Competency	20	34,17

For the period ending 31st December 2020, no income tax is charged on the emoluments of the master, the officers and the crew members of a Cyprus ship.