Photo: Marcus Hand The Singapore authorities will continue to extend the validity of STCW certificates on a case-by-case basis given the difficulties of renewal due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In a circular the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) noted that some seafarers still faced difficulties renewing STCW certification due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Last year on 2 April the IMO urged STCW certificate issuing administrations to take a pragmatic and practical approach the extension of certification for seafarers “In line with the IMO’s guidelines and in view of the persistent difficulties in revalidating STCW certificates due to COVID-19 pandemic, MPA and IMDA have decided to continue extending the validity of STCW certificates issued by Singapore on basis of case by case,” the circular said.