Professional Standards for Captains and Chief Mates of Vessels of 500 GT and Above From September 1, 2023: Regulations.
What are the professional standards, professional certificates, training, and minimum safe manning for Vietnamese seagoing vessels from September 1, 2023?
On June 30, 2023, the Minister of Transport issued Circular 20/2023/TT-BGTVT regulating professional standards, professional certificates, training, crew training, and minimum safe manning of Vietnamese seagoing vessels.
Circular 20/2023/TT-BGTVT stipulates the main contents regarding the professional standards and professional certificates of crew members, training, crew training, and minimum safe manning of seagoing vessels, including seagoing vessels registered in the Vietnam national ship registry.
The subjects applying Circular 20/2023/TT-BGTVT include agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the professional standards and professional certificates of crew members, training, crew training, and minimum safe manning of seagoing vessels, including seagoing vessels registered in the Vietnam national ship registry.
What are the professional standards of shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 500 GT or more from September 1, 2023?
What are the professional standards of shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 500 GT or more from September 1, 2023?
Based on Article 4 of Circular 20/2023/TT-BGTVT, the professional standards for shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 500 GT or more are as follows:
Shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 500 GT or more must meet the professional standards specified in Sections A-2/1, A-2/2, A-4/2, and A-8/2 of the STCW Code for the following functions:
- Navigation at the management level.- Cargo handling and stowage at the management level.- Controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board at the management level.- Communication at the operational level.
What are the professional conditions required for shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 500 GT or more to be granted a Certificate of Competence?
Based on Clause 1, Article 24 of Circular 20/2023/TT-BGTVT, the conditions for granting a Certificate of Competence for shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 3000 GT or more are as follows:
Conditions for granting a Certificate of Competence for shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 3000 GT or more
1. Professional conditions:
a) Hold a university degree in marine navigation; for those with a college degree in marine navigation, must complete an advanced training program regulated by the Minister of Transport;
b) Hold a Maritime English proficiency level 3;
c) Complete a professional training course as regulated by the Minister of Transport;
d) Pass the examination for shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 3000 GT or more.
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At the same time, based on Clause 1, Article 25 of Circular 20/2023/TT-BGTVT, the conditions for granting a Certificate of Competence for shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 500 GT to less than 3000 GT are as follows:
Conditions for granting a Certificate of Competence for shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 500 GT to less than 3000 GT
1. Professional conditions:
a) Hold a college degree or higher in marine navigation. For those with an intermediate degree in marine navigation, must complete an advanced training program regulated by the Minister of Transport;
b) Hold a Maritime English proficiency level 2 or higher;
c) Complete a professional training course as regulated by the Minister of Transport;
d) Pass the examination for shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 500 GT to less than 3000 GT.
...
Thus, the professional conditions for shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 500 GT or more to be granted a Certificate of Competence will be divided into two categories corresponding to the specific conditions as follows:
- For ships from 500 GT to less than 3000 GT, the conditions are:
+ Hold a minimum of a college degree in marine navigation;
Or have completed an advanced training program from the Ministry of Transport for those with an intermediate degree in marine navigation.
+ Hold a Maritime English proficiency level 2 or higher;
+ Complete a professional training course regulated by the Minister of Transport;
+ Pass the examination for shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 500 GT to less than 3000 GT.
For ships from 3000 GT or more, the conditions are:
+ Hold a minimum of a university degree in marine navigation;
Or have completed an advanced training program from the Ministry of Transport for those with a college degree in marine navigation.
+ Hold a Maritime English proficiency level 3 or higher;
+ Complete a professional training course regulated by the Minister of Transport;
+ Pass the examination for shipmasters, chief mates of ships from 3000 GT or more.
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