Marine transport authorities in the Sultanate of Oman have issued new guidelines concerning the checks of health clearances of maritime personnel in the country’s waters and commercial shipping lines.
According to the directives issued by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), maritime crew members and seafarers who intend to obtain medical fitness certificates to prove their fitness for embarkation on voyages should only present themselves to authorized medical practitioners.
The new guidelines are part of the government’s efforts to raise the level of safety in the Sultanate’s maritime transport industry and ensure conformity with global labor standards.
The authorities stated that medical clearances issued by unregistered agencies and doctors would be rejected upon presentation for verification.
According to a statement released by the Ministry via its General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, maritime workers are advised to verify practitioner credentials through the Ministry’s official portal prior to scheduling physical examinations.
The centralized directory outlines approved medical facilities and authorized physicians qualified to perform mandatory health screenings, vision tests, and physical assessment procedures tailored for seafaring duties.
The Ministry reaffirmed that non-compliant documentation, including health reports issued by unauthorized clinics or medical practitioners outside the approved network, will carry no legal or administrative validity.
The framework is designed to prevent fraudulent health clearances, guarantee that crew members meet stringent international physical health criteria, and ensure maritime safety throughout Omani commercial ports and territorial waters.
Maritime operators, shipping companies, and individual crew members are urged to review the updated registry on the MTCIT digital portal to avoid administrative delays or non-compliance penalties during documentation processing.
