46 CFR 13.605: Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations endorsement
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section lists what an applicant must do to get an STCW endorsement in Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations. The main endorsement requires a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-PIC DL, the STCW standards of competence, and 90 days of sea service onboard chemical tankers. It also covers limited endorsements and a training route for holders of other advanced tanker endorsements.
Applies toApplicants for an STCW endorsement in Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations.
What it says
For the main endorsement, an applicant must qualify for a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-PIC DL.
46 CFR 13.605(a)(1)“Qualify for a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-PIC DL;”
For the main endorsement, an applicant must provide evidence of 90 days of sea service onboard chemical tankers.
46 CFR 13.605(a)(3)“Provide evidence of 90 days of sea service onboard chemical tankers.”
For the main endorsement, the Coast Guard will accept service submitted for the national endorsement required in § 13.203, provided that the service was on chemical tankers.
46 CFR 13.605(a)(3)“The Coast Guard will accept service submitted to qualify for a national endorsement as required in § 13.203, provided that the service was on chemical tankers.”
Applicants may qualify for an endorsement with a limitation to non-self-propelled vessels.
46 CFR 13.605(b)“Applicants may qualify for an endorsement in Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations with a limitation to non-self-propelled vessels.”
For the non-self-propelled limitation, an applicant must provide evidence of at least 90 days of service, whether shore-based or vessel-based, on chemical tankers.
46 CFR 13.605(b)(3)“Provide evidence of at least 90 days of service, whether shore-based or vessel-based, on chemical tankers.”
Applicants may qualify for an endorsement with a limitation to maintenance and repair of cargo equipment.
46 CFR 13.605(c)“Applicants may qualify for an endorsement in Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations with a limitation to maintenance and repair of cargo equipment.”
The training program for holders of an Advanced Oil Tanker or Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker endorsement must be at least 1 month and include at least three loading and three discharge operations.
46 CFR 13.605(d)“The program must be at least 1 month and include at least three loading and three discharge operations.”
Common questions
How much sea service do I need for the main Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations endorsement?
An applicant for the main endorsement must provide evidence of 90 days of sea service onboard chemical tankers. The limited endorsements and the training route in this section have different requirements.
“Provide evidence of 90 days of sea service onboard chemical tankers.”
Can service for my national endorsement count toward the chemical tanker service?
For the main endorsement, yes. The Coast Guard will accept service submitted for the national endorsement required in § 13.203, provided that the service was on chemical tankers.
“The Coast Guard will accept service submitted to qualify for a national endorsement as required in § 13.203, provided that the service was on chemical tankers.”
How long must the training program be for holders of oil or gas tanker endorsements?
The program must be at least 1 month and include at least three loading and three discharge operations.
“The program must be at least 1 month and include at least three loading and three discharge operations.”
The text of 46 CFR 13.605
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement for Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations
(a) Every applicant for an endorsement in Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations must:
(1) Qualify for a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-PIC DL;
(2) Meet the standards of competence identified in Table A-V/1-1-3 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 13.103); and
(3) Provide evidence of 90 days of sea service onboard chemical tankers. The Coast Guard will accept service submitted to qualify for a national endorsement as required in § 13.203, provided that the service was on chemical tankers.
(b) Applicants may qualify for an endorsement in Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations with a limitation to non-self-propelled vessels. To qualify for this endorsement, an applicant must:
(1) Qualify for a national endorsement as Tank Barge-PIC DL;
(2) Provide evidence of meeting the standards of competence identified in Table A-V/1-1-3 of the STCW Code; and
(3) Provide evidence of at least 90 days of service, whether shore-based or vessel-based, on chemical tankers. The Coast Guard will accept service submitted to qualify for a national endorsement as required in § 13.303, provided that the service was on chemical tankers.
(c) Applicants may qualify for an endorsement in Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations with a limitation to maintenance and repair of cargo equipment. To qualify for this endorsement, an applicant must:
(1) Qualify for a national endorsement as Tank Vessel-Engineer;
(2) Provide evidence of meeting the standards of competence identified in Table A-V/1-1-3 of the STCW Code applicable to maintenance and repair of cargo equipment; and
(3) Provide evidence of—
(i) At least 90 days of service as an engineering officer on chemical tankers;
(ii) At least 90 days of rating or cadet service on deck or in the engine department on chemical tankers; or
(iii) A combination of the service in paragraphs (c)(3)(i) and (c)(3)(ii) of this section.
(d) Applicants holding an endorsement in Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations or Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations may qualify for an endorsement in Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations by completing, in a supernumerary capacity, an approved training program onboard chemical tankers. The program must be at least 1 month and include at least three loading and three discharge operations.
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.