CoC/CoP Validity Extended: Middle East Situation, Circular 17

If your Certificate of Competency (CoC) or Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) is due to expire soon and you’ve heard there’s some kind of extension because of the situation in the Middle East, you’re right to want clarity before you make any plans around it. This is exactly the kind of detail that can leave a seafarer stranded — either missing a join date because they assumed they weren’t covered, or worse, sailing on a certificate they wrongly assumed was still valid.

Here’s what DGS Circular No. 17 of 2026 actually says, and — just as importantly — what you need to verify for yourself before relying on it.

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What DGS Circular No. 17 of 2026 covers

The circular, dated approximately 29 March 2026, is titled “Extension of validity of Certificates of Competency (CoC), Certificates of Proficiency (CoP) and other STCW certificates due to the prevailing security situation in the Middle East/West Asia region.”

In principle, what it does is straightforward: it extends the validity of CoCs, CoPs, and other STCW certificates that would otherwise be expiring, in recognition of the fact that the ongoing security situation in the Middle East/West Asia is disrupting the normal channels seafarers use to renew these documents. That could mean disruptions to travel, exam center access, or other renewal-related logistics tied to that region.

This is the kind of regulatory response that exists specifically so that seafarers aren’t penalized for delays that are entirely outside their control. If regional instability is making it genuinely difficult to sit for a renewal exam or complete the paperwork on time, DGMA (Directorate General of Maritime Administration, India’s shipping regulator, formerly DG Shipping) has recognized that and built in some relief.

Why this kind of circular matters

For a seafarer whose CoC or CoP is expiring, the stakes are high. Sailing on an expired certificate is not something any responsible seafarer or company will do — it can affect your ability to join a ship, your P&I cover, and your standing with your manning agent. At the same time, being denied a legitimate renewal opportunity because of circumstances entirely outside your control — a security situation disrupting your ability to access an exam center, for instance — would be deeply unfair.

This circular exists to bridge that gap. But bridging a gap in principle is different from knowing exactly where you personally stand, which brings us to the most important part of this article.

What we don’t know — and why you must check for yourself

Here’s where honesty matters more than reassurance. The circular’s principle is clear — an extension exists for affected certificates — but the following specifics are not detailed in what’s available to us, and should not be guessed at:

• The exact length of the extension (how many months or weeks it grants)
• Which specific certificate categories qualify (all CoC/CoP grades, or only certain ones)
• Whether it applies to all seafarers regardless of location, or only those directly affected by Middle East/West Asia disruptions
• Any conditions or documentation you may need to provide to claim the extension

Because these specifics matter enormously — the difference between “my certificate is valid until a new date” and “my certificate has already expired” is not something to guess on — you should not assume blanket coverage just because you’ve heard about this circular.

What to actually do if your certificate is expiring

If your CoC, CoP, or another STCW certificate is coming up for renewal, here’s the sensible sequence:

1. Locate the actual circular text. DGS Circular No. 17 of 2026 is available from DGMA’s official channels. Read the exact wording on scope, duration, and conditions rather than relying on secondhand summaries (including this one).
2. Contact DGMA or your CoC issuing office directly. Reference the circular by number and date, and ask them to confirm, in writing, whether your specific certificate qualifies and what its new extended validity date is.
3. Don’t rely on assumptions from colleagues, agents, or forums. Circulars like this often get summarized loosely as “certificates extended” without the specific conditions being passed along accurately. Get your own written confirmation.
4. Keep documentation of that confirmation. If you’re relying on an extension to join a ship or continue on a current assignment, having written confirmation from DGMA or your issuing office protects you if the matter is ever questioned by a manning agent, P&I club, or port state control.
5. If you’re not covered, plan your renewal proactively. If it turns out your certificate category or situation doesn’t qualify for the extension, don’t wait — start your renewal process as early as possible, accounting for any regional disruptions that might still affect exam scheduling.

A note for those not directly affected by the Middle East situation

It’s worth being clear that this circular was issued in response to a specific regional disruption. If your renewal process has nothing to do with travel, exam access, or logistics tied to the Middle East/West Asia region, this extension may simply not be relevant to your situation — and you should proceed with your normal renewal timeline rather than assuming a delay is available to you.

The bottom line

DGS Circular No. 17 of 2026 is good news in principle for seafarers genuinely affected by the regional security situation — it acknowledges that some renewal delays are outside your control and provides relief for that. But “good news in principle” only becomes useful to you once you’ve confirmed exactly how it applies to your certificate, your category, and your specific expiry date. Don’t let an assumption about coverage be the reason you either miss a renewal deadline or end up questioning whether you’re legally clear to sail.

FAQs

Does this extension apply automatically to every seafarer’s CoC or CoP? The circular addresses certificates affected by the security situation in the Middle East/West Asia region, but the exact scope, eligible certificate categories, and extension duration are specific to the circular text itself. Do not assume your certificate is automatically covered — confirm directly with DGMA or your CoC issuing office.

Why would a regional security situation affect my certificate’s validity in India? When normal renewal processes — such as travel for exams, access to exam centers, or related logistics in the Middle East/West Asia region — are disrupted by a security situation, seafarers due for renewal can be unfairly penalized through no fault of their own. DGS Circular No. 17 of 2026 was issued to extend validity for those affected by such disruptions.

What should I do if my CoC or CoP is expiring soon? Don’t wait and assume you’re covered. Contact DGMA or your CoC issuing office directly, reference DGS Circular No. 17 of 2026, and get written confirmation of your certificate’s specific extended validity date before you rely on it to join a ship or accept an assignment.

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If your CoC or CoP is expiring and you’re unsure whether this extension covers you, talk to us before you assume anything.

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