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MPA issues guidelines on medical examination and certification for seafarers

MPA adopts IMO and ILO set medical examination and certification for seafarers as national requirements in order to work onboard Singapore-registered ships.
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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (30 March) issued a marine circular outlining the criteria in undergoing medical examination for seafarers and obtaining a Seafarer’s medical certificate to work onboard any Singapore-registered vessels:

GUIDELINES ON THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF SEAFARERS AND SEAFARER’S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE 

This Shipping Circular supersedes MPA’s Shipping Circular no 13 of 2013. 

International Maritime Organisation (IMO), together with the International Labour Organisation, has developed a set of guidelines on the medical examination and certification of seafarers. The guidelines are published as IMO’s circular STCW.7/Circular 19, attached as Annex A of this circular. MPA has adopted the guidelines as our national requirements for medical examination of seafarers. 

Every seafarer working onboard Singapore Registered Ships shall hold a valid seafarer’s medical certificate. A seafarer’s medical certificate shall follow the requirements of minimum information to be provided in the certificate as set out in the STCW Convention 1978, as amended, and the medical standards set out in the IMO’s circular STCW.7/Circular 19 (Annex A of this circular). These standards should also meet the requirements as prescribed in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006. 

Recognition of Medical Practitioners 

MPA accepts valid seafarer’s medical certificate issued by the following medical practitioners: 

  1. Registered medical practitioners licensed to practice in Singapore and familiar with the guidelines on the medical examination and certification of seafarers. The list of registered medical practitioners in Singapore is given in the website http://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg; or 
  2. Medical practitioners recognised by an STCW State Party in the “IMO White List”. Please refer to the updated revision of the IMO document MSC.1/Circ.1163/ for the latest “IMO white list, as the list is updated from time to time; or 
  3. A medical practitioner recognised by an MLC State Party and familiar with the guidelines on the medical examination and certification of seafarers; or 
  4. Any other medical practitioners that are accepted by the Director. 

Part 3 of the guidelines on the medical examination and certification of seafarers provides the necessary information needed in a medical assessment and the seafarer’s medical certificate to be issued to seafarers. The sample formats for the “Record of Medical Examinations of Seafarer” and “Seafarer’s Medical Certificate” are provided in Annex B and Annex C of this circular respectively. 

Seafarer’s Medical Certificate 

Recognised medical practitioners are required to use the format as given in Annex C of this circular when issuing seafarer’s medical certificates. They are also required to retain records of medical inspection of seafarers for at least 3 years. 

Seafarer’s medical certificates shall be valid for not more than 2 years or not more than 1 year in the case of a seafarer under the age of 18 years. If a seafarer’s medical certificate expires in the course of a voyage, then the certificate shall remain valid until the next port of call. 

There are three (3) categories of seafarer’s medical certificates which may be issued to the following persons: 

  1. able to perform all duties worldwide within designated department (unlimited); or 
  2. able to perform some but not all routine and emergency duties or to work in limited area (e.g. within 30 miles from a port) (L – limited duration or R – limited job scope); or 
  3. incompatible with the reliable performance of routine and emergency duties safely or effectively (Temporary or Permanent – unfit for sea service). 

A seafarer who has been refused issuance of a seafarer’s medical certificate or has a limitation imposed in his certificate, may appeal to the Director of Marine for a review by another independent medical practitioner. 

Ship managers and masters should ensure that seafarers are only deployed to perform duties for which they are medically fit. For example, only seafarers who are fit for the deck department – (i.e. comply with requirements for eye-sight, colour vision and hearing) should be permitted to perform bridge watch keeping or lookout duties. 

Any queries regarding this circular should be directed to MPA (Email: [email protected]) 

A full copy of the circular is available for download here.


Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 31 March, 2020

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Singapore-based Golden Island, Qingdao Port team up on alternative bunker fuels

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Golden Island, Qingdao Port team up on green methanol, ammonia and bio-LNG

Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island Pte Ltd on Monday (21 September) said it has signed a strategic framework agreement with Qingdao Port International Co Ltd to collaborate on the supply of alternative marine fuels.

The agreement covers green methanol, green ammonia and bio-LNG, with cooperation spanning fuel production and transportation through to storage, sales and bunkering.

“By combining our MPA-licensed bunkering capabilities with Qingdao Port’s incredible logistics and strategic hub position, we are building something truly robust for the global shipping industry’s low-carbon future,” the company said in a statement. 

Qingdao Port International, which operates five major port areas in China, will bring its logistics network, storage facilities and customs clearance capabilities to the partnership.

Golden Island is licensed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to conduct methanol bunkering and is ISCC EU-certified.

The companies are also engaging with container liners, bulk carriers, oil tankers and cruise ships regarding the adoption of alternative marine fuels.

 

Photo credit: Golden Island Pte Ltd
Published: 22 September, 2026

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HD HHI and HD KSOE secure ABS AiP for ammonia bunkering vessel design

ABS awarded approval in principle for the basic design of a 22,000 CBM bunkering vessel capable of supplying ammonia as marine fuel.
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HD HHI and HD KSOE secure ABS AiP for ammonia bunkering vessel

Classification society ABS on Monday (21 September) said it has awarded HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) approval in principle (AIP) for the basic design of a 22,000 CBM bunkering vessel capable of supplying ammonia as marine fuel.

The approval is the result of a joint development project initiated earlier this year. ABS reviewed the design’s general arrangement, machinery arrangement, ammonia cargo handling system and fuel supply system against applicable class and international requirements.

Gareth Burton, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Engineering, said: “Bunkering infrastructure is a critical step for any marine fuel to scale, and it has to be implemented with safety designed in from the start.

“This AIP reflects the industry’s need for fuel flexibility while advancing the safe bunkering of ammonia. ABS is proud to support HD HHI and HD KSOE as they develop technologies that expand fuel flexibility.”

Ryu Hong-Ryeul, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of HD HHI, said: “As ammonia rapidly emerges as a viable low-carbon alternative fuel, demand for ammonia bunkering vessels is expected to grow in line with the increasing adoption of ammonia-fuelled ships. 

“This AIP marks a significant milestone toward the commercialisation of ammonia bunkering vessels.”

ABS and the HD Hyundai group have worked together across a range of technologies supporting ammonia as a marine fuel. Recent projects have included AIP for HD KSOE’s ammonia cargo handling and bunkering system and initial review for HD HHI’s machinery arrangement in engine room.

 

Photo credit: ABS
Published: 22 September, 2026

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J-ENG completes land-based testing of hydrogen-fuelled marine engine

Engine will be installed on a 17,500 DWT multipurpose vessel to be built by Onomichi Dockyard for MOL and MOL Drybulk, with onboard demonstration testing scheduled to begin in April 2028.

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Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) on Friday (18 September) said it has completed land-based testing of the world’s first hydrogen-fuelled engine for large commercial vessels, the 6UEC35LSGH.

During factory testing, the engine achieved a hydrogen co-firing rate of at least 95%, reducing GHG emissions by more than 95% compared with conventional heavy-fuel-oil engines.

By adopting a high-pressure direct injection system, which injects fuel directly into the cylinder at high pressure, J-ENG said the engine achieves stable hydrogen combustion. 

Safety measures were also implemented, including a robust structure to prevent hydrogen leakage and double-walled piping for hydrogen supply lines. 

“Approval testing was conducted in the presence of ClassNK and was completed successfully,” the company said. 

The engine will be installed on a 17,500 DWT multipurpose vessel to be built by Onomichi Dockyard for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and MOL Drybulk.

Hydrogen fuel will be supplied to the engine through a marine hydrogen fuel system, consisting of marine hydrogen fuel tanks and a fuel supply system, developed and manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

In addition, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) will conduct safety assessments throughout each stage of the engine’s development and the vessel’s design, construction and operation.

The vessel will then undergo sea trials before onboard demonstration testing begins in April 2028. 

Kawasaki will also develop and manufacture bunkering equipment for supplying liquefied hydrogen to vessels. 

“The demonstration will further evaluate the engine’s durability and performance under actual operating conditions,” J-ENG added.

 

Photo credit: J-ENG
Published: 22 September, 2026

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