Canada signs reciprocal arrangement with Brunei for recognition of STCW certificates

Eda Zenic -

Transport Canada has issued a bulletin informing the marine community that Canada has signed a reciprocal arrangement with Brunei Darussalam. This agreement allows Bruneian seafarers who hold a valid STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) certificate of competency to apply for a Canadian endorsement for their qualifications.

Scope of the Bulletin:

This bulletin applies to:

  • Owners and operators of Canadian-flagged vessels.
  • Seafarers from Brunei Darussalam who wish to obtain a Canadian endorsement of their STCW certificates.

Key Points:

  • Reciprocal Arrangement: Under the new agreement, Bruneian seafarers with a valid STCW certificate issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam can now seek recognition in Canada by applying for a Canadian endorsement. This is part of Canada's broader initiative to align with international standards and create reciprocal recognition agreements with several other countries.
    Canada already has similar arrangements with countries including Australia, France, Norway, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, the Philippines, Panama, Jamaica, and Ireland.
  • Canadian Endorsement: The endorsement granted by Canada allows seafarers to work on Canadian-flagged vessels, as the endorsement serves as an official recognition of their qualifications under Canadian maritime regulations.
  • Bruneian Seafarers Seeking Canadian Endorsement: Bruneian seafarers holding a valid STCW certificate from Brunei can apply for a Canadian endorsement to work aboard Canadian ships. The process requires them to complete certain forms and provide necessary documentation.
  • Canadian Seafarers Seeking Bruneian Endorsement: Similarly, Canadian seafarers can apply for a Bruneian endorsement of their valid Canadian STCW certificates. They can contact the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam via email at certification.mts@mpabd.gov.bn or info@mpabd.gov.bn to initiate the process.

Application Process:

To apply for a Canadian endorsement, seafarers from Brunei must submit the following:

  1. Application for Canadian Endorsement (Form #82-0786)
  2. Declaration from an Authorized Representative (Form #82-0787)

These forms can be downloaded from the Transport Canada website.

How to Apply:

Applicants should submit their completed application and supporting documents using one of the following methods:

Bruneian seafarers can now seek Canadian recognition of their STCW certificates