The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) of the Philippines has issued Advisory 2020-44 on June 11, directing the further extension of validity of STCW certificates of Filipino seafarers who are currently serving onboard seagoing ships amid challenges caused by COVID-19.

According to the advisory, the validity of STCW certificates of Filipino seafarers that have expired or about to expire between June 1 to June 30, 2020 shall be extended for six (6) months from the date of expiry. Likewise, MARINA has also directed that all Seafarer's Record Book (SRB) or Seafarer's Identification and Record Book (SIRB) expiring between June 1 to June 30, 2020 shall be provisionally extended until December 31, 2020.

These MARINA advisories aim to cope with the global travel restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, prohibiting the transfer and transit of Filipino seafarers for the purposes of disembarkation, embarkation, and crew change. 


For more information, please read MARINA Advisories 2020-44 and 2020-43.