• The following terms are defined as follows:

• Ministry: Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services.

• Seafarer: A person who works on board a ship.

• Seafarer Service Record: The document issued by the Ministry for the seafarer.

• Maritime Competency Certificate: The qualification obtained by the seafarer in accordance with the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (1978 STCW) and its amendments.

• Vessel: The floating unit registered in the Kingdom and used for commercial purposes.

• Maritime Work Contract: The contract under which a seafarer commits to work on a ship in exchange for a wage.

• Representations: Embassies or consulates or any office representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia abroad.

• Coastal Voyage: A voyage close to the coast between two ports in the Kingdom.

• International Voyage: A maritime journey from one of the Kingdom's ports to a port in another country or vice versa.

The maritime service record is issued by the Ministry in accordance with the conditions for its grant.

• A maritime service record is granted to any sailor who holds Saudi nationality and practices the profession or is a trainee on board commercial vessels that undertake coastal or international voyages under a work contract with the operator or owner of the ship, provided that he has obtained the necessary capacity certificates and/or experiences required to practice that profession or training.

• Employees on warships or government vessels not designated for commercial purposes are exempt from Article Three.

• The maritime service record is used for the following purposes:

  • - To document the service of seafarers on board the vessel.

  • - To transfer from one vessel to another.

  • - To join or leave employment on the vessel.

• The following conditions must be met for someone to be granted a maritime service record:

  • - Must be a Saudi national.

  • - Must possess a maritime capacity certificate and/or the necessary practical experience for the profession.

  • - Must have a maritime employment contract to work on board the vessel, if available.

  • - Must be at least 18 years old.

  • - Must meet the necessary physical and health fitness requirements.

•  An applicant who meets the conditions stated in Article (1) shall submit the following documents to the Ministry to obtain a maritime service record:

  • 1- A copy of the ordinary passport of the applicant.

  • 2- A copy of the maritime capacity certificates and/or maritime experience.

  • 3- A copy of the maritime work contract, if available.

  • 4- Two recent colored photographs measuring 4 × 6 cm.

  • 5- A copy of the medical reports indicating the results of the medical examination.

• The Ministry records the following information in the maritime service register:

  • - The sailor's full name and address as per the passport.

  • - Passport number, date of issue, place of issue, and validity.

  • - Date of birth.

  • - Medical certificates and work experience.

  • - Blood type.

  • - Signature or left thumbprint of the sailor.

  • - Address of the nearest person to the sailor who can be contacted.

• The following data shall be recorded by the ship's captain and authenticated with the ship's seal:

  • - Name of the ship and its owner.

  • - Official number of the ship (registration number).

  • - Type of ship.

  • - Gross tonnage.

  • - Date and place of the seafarer's embarkation and disembarkation.

  • - Rank of the seafarer.

  • - Type of voyage (coastal - international).

  • - Conduct and capability of the seafarer. 

The maritime service record is not considered a substitute for a regular passport.