Seafarer Documentation

Defined standards. Protected records. International compliance.

The Tanzania Zanzibar International Register of Shipping (TZIRS) supports safe vessel operations and regulatory compliance by issuing and administering seafarer documentation for service aboard Zanzibar-flagged vessels. Seafarer-related services are conducted under the applicable maritime laws and regulations of Zanzibar, together with relevant international conventions, including the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention, where applicable. The United Republic of Tanzania is included in the IMO STCW White List as confirmed by the Maritime Safety Committee.

TZIRS is committed to maintaining a documentation framework that combines regulatory reliability, efficient processing, and robust verification mechanisms. This approach promotes confidence among shipowners, operators, employers, port State authorities, and seafarers.

Services Provided by TZIRS

TZIRS may provide the following seafarer documentation services, subject to eligibility and compliance requirements:

• STCW endorsements recognising certificates of competency or proficiency issued by duly authorised administrations, where applicable
• Flag State confirmations or function-specific endorsements as required under applicable regulations
• Reissuance or replacement of registry-issued documents (including lost, damaged, or amended records)
• Verification of seafarer documentation upon legitimate request
• Guidance concerning documentation requirements for service on Zanzibar-flagged vessels

Eligible Applicants

Applications for seafarer documentation may be submitted by:

• Seafarers applying directly
• Vessel owners, operators, or technical managers
• Crewing or recruitment agencies
• Authorised registry representatives or recognised agents
• Employers acting on behalf of a seafarer

Depending on the nature of the request, applicants may be required to provide confirmation of intended service aboard a Zanzibar-flagged vessel.

Verification & Compliance Safeguards

To preserve the integrity of the Zanzibar flag, all applications undergo identity verification and document authentication procedures.

Incomplete, inconsistent, or unverifiable submissions will not be processed.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all information and supporting documentation provided.

Application Process

The general documentation process consists of the following stages:

Submission – A complete application is submitted through approved TZIRS channels or via an authorised representative.

Verification – The Registry verifies identity credentials, certificate authenticity, and compliance with applicable standards.

Determination – Upon successful review, documentation is approved and issued in accordance with Registry procedures.

Issuance & Delivery – Documents may be issued electronically and/or transmitted through secure delivery methods, depending on document classification.

Service Benchmarks

Upon receipt of a complete and compliant application:

• Acknowledgement is typically issued within one (1) business day
• Standard processing generally occurs within three (3) to five (5) business days
• Priority handling may be considered where safety, regulatory compliance, or operational continuity necessitates expedited review

Fees & Administrative Charges

For any further enquiries please contact us on Seafarers@tzirs.tz

Document Verification & Registry Integrity

TZIRS maintains secure registry records and supports legitimate verification requests from competent authorities, employers, and other authorised stakeholders.

• Verification requests must be submitted through official Registry channels
• Unofficial copies or screenshots should not be relied upon for validation purposes
• Suspected cases of document alteration or fraud must be reported immediately

TZIRS enforces a strict compliance policy and applies a zero-tolerance approach to misrepresentation, falsification, or document fraud.