Certificate of proficiency for service on tankers

For whom?

Seafarers who have special tasks and responsibilities relating to cargo and associated equipment on oil, gas and chemical tankers must have a certificate of proficiency. The certificate of proficiency required is dependant on the position and the type of tanker.

Digital application

In order for a non-Dutch resident or company to apply we need to create an account for you. Please e-mail us at nl.scheepvaart@kiwa.nl with ''KIWA-ID'' as a subject.

In the e-mail please include:

• First name
• Surname
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Country of birth
• Nationality
• Emailadres
• Phone number
• Mailing address

Once an account has been created you can log in via our application portal.

First request a basic certificate of proficiency for service on tankers

There are two options for a basic certificate of proficiency, namely:

1. A training certificate from a recognised training company, or
2. 90 days of sailing time on a relevant tanker ship*.

* for instance, experience on a gas tanker in order to apply for a basic gas CoP.

First request for advanced certificate of proficiency for service on tankers

To be eligible for an advanced certificate of proficiency, the following documents are relevant:

• A training certificate from a recognised training company, and
• 3 months of sailing time in an officer position on a relevant tanker ship.

Sailing time as an intern

Sailing time as an intern (trainee) can be taken into account for the advanced certificate of proficiency if the experience was obtained with a recognised tanker training company in the context of a maritime education.

Training record book

Besides the three months of sailing time, there is the possibility to be eligible for an advanced certificate of proficiency for tankers with 1 month of sailing time. This requires the person in question to have a signed training record book. The requirement to be in possession of an advanced training certificate does apply. The books can be found here.

Foreign seafarers

Foreign seafarers can only request a certificate of proficiency for tankers if they have a Dutch certificate of competency (not a recognition) or a Dutch training certificate. If they have a foreign certificate, they can request a certificate of proficiency (CoP) with their own maritime authority, which in turn can be recognised in the Netherlands, provided there is an agreement with this country.

Renewal

For a renewal, it is required to have had three months of sailing time in the past five years. This sailing time must have been in a relevant officer position on a tanker for which the request is intended. For instance, sailing time on a gas tanker in order to extend a certificate of proficiency for gas tankers.

Lost or stolen

If the certificate of competency and/or certificate of proficiency is lost or stolen, a duplicate can be requested. The following documents are required for this:

• copy of your passport or identity card;
• a recent passport photo (in colour).