Transport Canada published Ship Safety Bulletin 13/2026 on 2 November 2026. It explains how seafarers can get a Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) for ships that use gas or other low-flashpoint fuels. These ships follow the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-Flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code).
More ships now use liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other low-flashpoint fuels. Some crew need special training and a certificate for this fuel.
You need it if you have designated safety duties with the fuel. Masters and engineers who look after the fuel system also need it.
Who needs which certificate
There are two certificates. The basic CoP is for seafarers with designated safety duties. Those duties cover care, use or emergency response for the fuel.
The advanced CoP is for masters, engineer officers and anyone with immediate responsibility for the fuel and fuel systems.
Transport Canada issues these CoPs under the STCW Convention and Code for now. When Canada's Marine Personnel Regulations change, you will need to exchange the CoP.
Basic IGF certificate: what you need
To apply for the basic CoP you must be at least 16 years old. You must hold a Transport Canada marine medical certificate that is still valid under STCW rules. You also need one of these certificates, less than five years old:
A basic IGF training course certificate that follows STCW.7/Circ.23 interim guidance, or a Transport Canada-approved basic IGF course.
A CoP in basic training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations.
A CoP in advanced training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations.
If your basic IGF training certificate is more than five years old, you must prove continued proficiency. Show at least three months of sea service on an IGF Code ship. Do this for every five-year period after the training. The work must match the duties covered by the training.
Advanced IGF certificate: what you need
For the advanced CoP you need a valid Transport Canada marine medical certificate. You also need a master or engineer officer Certificate of Competency. The Small Vessel Machinery Operator CoC does not count.
You also need one of the same basic training or gas-tanker CoPs listed above. It must be less than five years old.
Then choose one of two routes.
Option 1: hold an advanced IGF training certificate from the last five years. Also show at least one month of sea service on an IGF Code ship. During that time you must take part in at least three bunkering operations.
Option 2: hold a valid advanced liquefied gas tanker cargo CoP. Within the last five years, take part in three bunkering operations on an IGF Code ship. Or take part in three cargo operations on a liquefied gas tanker.
For option 2 you also need at least three months of sea service in the last five years. That service can be on IGF Code ships, tankers carrying IGF fuels as cargo, or vessels that use gas or low-flashpoint fuel.
If your advanced IGF training certificate is more than five years old, prove continued proficiency. Show at least three months of IGF Code sea service with at least three bunkering operations. Do this for every five-year period after the training.
How to apply
Book an appointment with an examiner of engineers at your nearest Transport Canada Regional Service Centre.
Bring originals of all your certificates, your discharge book, and sea-service testimonials. Include the number of bunkering operations when needed.
Bring any other proof of training or experience listed in the bulletin.
The examiner sends your application to the Seafarer Certification team for review.
Questions can go to tc.amspecertificationengineering-certificationmecaniciens.tc@tc.gc.ca. You can also use the marine safety contact line in the bulletin.
What it means for crews
If you plan to sail on LNG or other gas-fuelled ships under the Canadian system, check your rank first.
Confirm which IGF CoP you need before you join.
Keep training certificates and bunkering records. You may need them to renew proficiency every five years.
Compare pay for engineer roles on Chief Engineer salaries on Crewboard.
Canada also signed a mutual recognition undertaking with Finland for STCW officer certificates. See Finland and Canada STCW recognition.
For official help lines and certificate checks, see useful links for seafarers.
Cover photo: Cruise ship AIDAcosma taking LNG from a bunker barge in Rotterdam, 3 March 2022. Photo: Raffnix2000/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Sources: Transport Canada Ship Safety Bulletin 13/2026: Certificates of Proficiency for service on ships subject to the IGF Code (2 Nov 2026), Transport Canada: Marine transportation regions (Regional Service Centres), Transport Canada: Ship Safety Bulletins index.
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