

(Posted on 14/04/20)
The Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) has acted to assist ships and seafarers during the coronavirus pandemic by extending licences and postponing the renewal of official documentation for several months.
This policy position was approved by the Minister of Transport and Mining, the Hon. Robert Montague, who emphasised the critical importance of an uninterrupted supply chain for global trade. The Minister said: “Our seafarers must feel confident that the validity of their documents will remain so during this challenging period.”
This move will enable seafarers to work on board Jamaican flagged vessels for longer in cases where they cannot transit home, and will enable ships to operate legally even if their documentation has recently expired or inspections cannot be carried out.
Jamaica’s Flag State Jamaica Ship registry (JSR) has announced a reprieve for certifications facing expiration, including certificates of registry, and various licences for vessels, as well as endorsements and record books for seafarers. In most cases these will be extended for three months. Time allowed for vessel surveys, inspections, registrations, and medical examinations is also extended.
The waivers are listed in the MAJ’s latest circular: Validity of Certificates - Coronavirus (COVID-19). The measures include:
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