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Under the Merchant Shipping (Masters and Seamen) Laws, the master of a Cyprus ship is required to enter into an employment agreement with the shipowner. Furthermore, every seaman on board must enter into an agreement with the master.

Certificates of Competency for Officers and Ratings

Officers and ratings serving on board Cyprus flag vessels are not required to hold Certificates of competency issued by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, however they must hold valid and recognized certificates of competency or training documentary evidence for the post they hold on board. Officers serving on board Cyprus flag vessels are required to hold, in addition to their non-Cyprus certificate of competency, a Cyprus endorsement attesting the recognition of their certificate in accordance with the STCW 1978 Convention as amended.

Seafarer’s Identification and Sea-Service Record Book

All registered seamen shall apply for a Seafarer’s Identification and Sea service Record Book (SISR) which is issued by the Department of Merchant Shipping.

The Seafarer’s Identification and Sea-service Record booklet is valid for a period of ten years from the date of its issue, after which a new one is issued by the Department of Merchant Shipping.

The engagement and discharge of the seafarer, as well as the entries relating to the training of familiarisation with the ship, are made by the Master.

Nationality of Crew

Crew members may be of any nationality provided they are holders of certificates of competency issued by one of the countries, whose certificate of competency Cyprus has recognised.  Officers have to apply for endorsement of their certificates of competency in accordance with the STCW 1978 Convention as amended.

In order to facilitate the manning of ships flying its flag, the Cypriot government has concluded a number of bilateral agreements in the field of merchant shipping with labour supplying countries.

Fees and taxes

For the period ending 31^st December 2020, no income tax is charged on the emoluments of the master, the officers and the crew members of a Cyprus ship.