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1. In view of the challenges faced by shipping industry emerging from mandatory quarantine and also from precautionary measures being taken by a number of port authorities around the world due to the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Malta Administration has issued Merchant Shipping Notice 158 (copy attached) informing following to the shipping community;
   
   
   1. Extension of Seafarers Employment Agreement:
      
      
   1. Shipowners, Managers and Operators encountering difficulties in repatriating seafarers following the expiration of the term established in the Seafarer’s Employment Agreement in terms of the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) Rules, may, on a case-by-case basis request to extend the validity of the Agreement for a maximum period of three months, which period may be extended for further periods upon application, should the situation remain the same. Arrangements for repatriation should be made at the earliest opportunity.
      
      
   2. Shipowners, Managers and Operators who require such an extension are required to submit details of the seafarer/s including the details of the current agreement periods to Administration’s email address mlc.tm@transport.gov.mt.
      
      
   3. Any extended period would require an addendum to the Seafarer Employment Agreement under the same terms and conditions as the underlying agreement.
      
      
   2. Extension of the validity of Seafarers Certificate of endorsement:
      
      Shipowners seeking Extension of seafarer’s certificate of endorsement are required to request the Administration at applica.stcw@transport.gov.mt submitting the following requirements;
      
      
      1. Details of the seafarer;
         
         
      2. The endorsement number; and
         
         

      3. Copy of a valid (or extension of validity) Certificate of Competency by the issuing Administration of the CoC.
         (The Flag State Endorsement may only be extended up to the date of the extended validity of the CoC).

   3. Extension of Statutory Certificates, Surveys, Audits and Inspections:
      
      
      1. In cases where surveyors, auditors and/or inspectors are not able to undertake scheduled surveys, audit and inspections due to restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the Administration will consider requests for extension/postponement under force majeure or unforeseen exceptional circumstances, on a case by case basis.
         
         
      2. For statutory surveys delegated to Recognised Organisations, the respective Recognised Organisation are to make an application to the Administration on the owner’s behalf, including all supporting information.
         
         

      3. All requests are to be sent by email on tech.tm@transport.gov.mt.

2. Ship owners/ operators and masters of Malta flagged ships are advised to be guided by above.

Enclosure:

• Malta Merchant Shipping Notice 158, dated 17 March 2020.

Disclaimer:

This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.

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