Circular No. 16/2015/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 36/2013/TT-BGTVT dated October 23, 2013, issued by the Minister of Transport on the training, issuance, revocation of certificates of seafarer pilot professional competence (SPPC) and certificates of seafarer pilot operational area (SPOA).

CIRCULAR

Amending and supplementing certain Articles of TCircular No. 36/2013/TT-BGTVT dated October 23, 2013 of BMinister

B||| ofthe Ministry of Transport stipulates on training, issuing, revoking certificates of professional competence for marine pilots and certificates of pilotage areas

and marine pilotage areas

____________________________

Pursuant to the Maritime Code of Vietnam dated June 14, 2005;

Pursuant to Decree No. 107/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012 of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, organization, and staffing.onconstruction and publication of load orders and speed orders on national railways, urban railways running concurrently with national railways, and dedicated railways.

Pursuant to Decree No. 173/2007/N3. Amend Clause 3 Article 2 as follows:-CP dated October 11 2007 of the Government on the organization and operation of marine pilots;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Director of the Department of Ethnic Affairs and Religion Propaganda;on decision of the Director of the Department of Organization and Personnel and the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration,June 2024;Circular No. 36/2013/TT-BGTVT dated October 23, 2013 stipulates on training, issuing, revoking certificates of professional competence for marine pilots

Amended and supplemented clauses 2 and 3, point d of Article 5 as follows:, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CPPursuant to the Law on Public Investment dated November 29, 2024;No. of Circular No.No. and certificates of pilotage areasồCertificate of professional competence for marine pilotsof the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairsation, docənand certificate of pilotage areasof the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairsation, docứArticle 1. Amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No. 36/2013/TT-BGTVT dated October 23, 2013 of the Minister of the Ministry of Transport stipulating on training, issuing, revoking Certificates of Professional Competence for Marine Pilots and Certificates of Pilotage Areas

"This Circular applies to marine pilots, shipmasters, marine pilot organizations and agencies, organizations, individuals related to training, issuing, revoking GCNKNCMHTHH and GCNVHĐHTHH."n l"Article 2. Certificate of professional competence for marine pilots and certificate of pilotage areas

1. Amending and supplementing Clause 2 of Article 1 as follows:

1. Certificate of professional competence for marine pilots

2. Amending and supplementing Article 2 as follows:

a) The GCNKNCMHTHH is a certificate issued to marine pilots and shipmasters who meet the provisions set out in Chapter II of this Circular. A marine pilot or shipmaster holding a GCNKNCMHTHH of a certain grade may lead ships within the limits of that grade.

b) The GCNKNCMHTHH includes grades Three, Two, One, and Extraordinary.

c) The validity period of the GCNKNCMHTHH is five years from the date of issuance. In cases where the working age of a marine pilot does not allow for a full five-year period, the validity period of the GCNKNCMHTHH corresponds to the remaining working age of the marine pilot according to labor laws. For GCNKNCMHTHH issued to shipmasters, the validity period is two years.

d) The model of the GCNKNCMHTHH is specified in Appendix 1 of this Circular.

2. Certificate of pilotage areas

a) The GCNVHĐHTHH is a certificate issued to marine pilots and shipmasters specifying the pilotage areas and routes where marine pilots are permitted to practice their profession and shipmasters are permitted to self-navigate their vessels. Marine pilots and shipmasters are only allowed to navigate ships along the routes specified in their GCNVHĐHTHH.

b) Marine pilots who have completed practical training in leading ships and shipmasters who have navigated ships in specific areas and routes are eligible to be issued a GCNVHĐHTHH for those areas and routes.

c) The validity period of the GCNVHĐHTHH corresponds to the validity period of the GCNKNCMHTHH.

d) The model of the GCNVHĐHTHH is specified in Appendix 2 of this Circular."

3. Supplementing Clause 4 after Clause 3 of Article 4 as follows:

"4. For trainees currently holding the position of shipmaster; they are exempted from the contents prescribed at Points e, g, h, i of Clause 2 of this Article."

4. Supplementing Clause 3 after Clause 2 of Article 8 as follows:

"3. Trainees currently holding the position of shipmaster must meet the following conditions:

a) Hold a graduation certificate in Marine Navigation from a college level or higher from maritime schools;

c) Possess a Maritime English Certificate Level 2 or an English Certificate Level B or equivalent;

d) Have at least 24 months of experience in the position of shipmaster."

b) Meet health standards as prescribed;

5. Replacing the phrase "confirmed by the marine pilot organization where the internship takes place, the Port Maritime Office" in Articles 11, 16, 18 with the phrase "confirmed by the marine pilot organization conducting the examination, the Port Maritime Office."

6. Supplementing Clause 1a after Clause 1 of Article 11 as follows:

"1a. Conditions for issuing GCNKNCMHTHH Grade Three to shipmasters:

a) Having completed basic marine pilot training courses;

b) Having led at least 24 safe voyages within six months, evaluated by marine pilots who have advised the shipmaster during the voyage and must be confirmed by the marine pilot organization, the Port Maritime Office."

7. Supplementing Clause 3a after Clause 3 of Article 11 as follows:

"3a. Conditions for issuing GCNKNCMHTHH Grade Two to shipmasters:"

8. Amending and supplementing Point a of Clause 1 of Article 12 as follows:

"a) A letter from the marine pilot organization or the unit managing the shipmaster according to the form specified in Appendix 3 of this Circular;"

7. Supplementing Clause 3a after Clause 3 of Article 11 as follows:

"3a. Conditions for issuing GCNKNCMHTHH Grade Two to shipmasters:"

9. Supplementing Point c after Point b of Clause 1 of Article 13 as follows:

"c) Shipmasters must complete at least 12 safe self-navigations (confirmed by the Port Maritime Office) during the validity period of the GCNKNCMHTHH."

"2. GCNKNCMHTHH will be reissued in case it is damaged or lost but still within its validity period."

11. Amending and supplementing Point a of Clause 1 of Article 14 as follows:

10. Amend and supplement Clause 2 of Article 13 as follows:

"a) A request for extension of the GCNKNCMHTHH, clearly stating the reasons and having confirmation from the head of the marine pilot organization or the unit managing the shipmaster according to the form specified in Appendix 6 of this Circular;"

12. Amending and supplementing Point a of Clause 1 of Article 15 as follows:

"a) A request for reissuance of the GCNKNCMHTHH, clearly stating the reasons and having confirmation from the head of the marine pilot organization or the unit managing the shipmaster according to the form specified in Appendix 6 of this Circular;"

13. Amending and supplementing Point a of Clause 1 of Article 17 as follows:

14. Supplementing Point c after Point b of Clause 1 of Article 20 as follows:

15. Amending and supplementing Clause 2 of Article 20 as follows:

"c) Shipmasters must complete at least 12 safe self-navigations (confirmed by the Port Maritime Office) during the validity period of the GCNKNCMHTHH."

"2. GCNVHĐHTHH will be reissued in case it is damaged or lost but still within its validity period."

11. Amending and supplementing Point a of Clause 1 of Article 14 as follows:

16. Amending and supplementing Point a of Clause 1 of Article 21 as follows:

"a) A request for extension of the GCNVHĐHTHH, clearly stating the reasons and having confirmation from the head of the marine pilot organization or the unit managing the shipmaster according to the form specified in Appendix 6 of this Circular;"

17. Amending and supplementing Point a of Clause 1 of Article 22 as follows:

"a) A request for reissuance of the GCNVHĐHTHH, clearly stating the reasons and having confirmation from the head of the marine pilot organization or the unit managing the shipmaster according to the form specified in Appendix 6 of this Circular;"

18. Supplementing Article 26a after Article 26 as follows:

"Article 26a. Responsibilities of the Port Maritime Office

1. Supervising the entry and exit of ships and activities at seaports to ensure maritime safety, maritime security, and prevention of environmental pollution."

"Article 26a. Responsibilities of the Maritime Port Office Region

1. Supervising vessels entering, exiting, and operating at seaports to ensure maritime safety, maritime security, and environmental pollution prevention."

2. The Director of the Maritime Branch shall not permit a Master holding a Certificate of Competency for Marine Pilotage to navigate the vessel independently in cases of bad weather and other specific conditions that pose risks to maritime safety, maritime security, and prevention of environmental pollution.

19. Amend and supplement Appendices 3, 4, 5, and 6 issued together with Circular No. 36/2013/TT-BGVT dated October 23, 2013, concerning training, issuance, and revocation of Certificates of Competency for Marine Pilotage and Certificates of Areas of Operation for Marine Pilotage.

Article 2. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2015.

Article 3. Implementation Organization

1. The Vietnam Maritime Administration is responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular in coordination with relevant agencies.

2. The Head of the Ministry's Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, Heads of Departments, Directors of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, Heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals related to this matter are responsible for implementing this Circular.