When was the ETO role introduced into STCW?

The Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) and Electro-Technical Rating (ETR) were introduced by the 2010 Manila Amendments to STCW, which entered into force on 1 January 2012. Before Manila, the electrical officer role existed operationally but had no STCW-mandated certificate. From 2012, any seafarer serving as ETO on a ship of 750 kW or more must hold an ETO Certificate of Proficiency (STCW III/6).

What is the difference between an ETO and an ETR?

The Electro-Technical Rating (ETR, STCW III/7) is a support-level rating who maintains electrical equipment under the supervision of the ETO. The ETO (STCW III/6) is an officer-level position responsible for the overall management of the ship's electrical, electronic, and control systems. The ETO reports to the Chief Engineer and does not stand a regular engineering watch but is on-call for technical faults.

Is a marine engineering degree required to become an ETO?

STCW A-III/6 requires either (a) an approved programme of electro-technical education and training plus at least 12 months of on-board training, or (b) an approved programme combining workshop skills, simulator training, and sea time. Many flag states accept an electrical or electronic engineering degree (not marine-specific) combined with a maritime ETO bridging course. Verify with your flag administration.

What does the high-voltage endorsement cover?

High-Voltage (HV) training covers the safe working practices, isolation procedures, and testing of electrical systems operating at 1,000 V or above. HV systems are standard on LNG carriers, large container ships, cruise vessels, and offshore units. STCW Table A-III/6 includes competency in HV systems as part of the ETO standard; many flag states additionally require a standalone HV endorsement course.

Can a deck or engineer officer cross-qualify as an ETO?

Yes — a qualified engineer officer with an electrical engineering background can apply for ETO certification on most flags by demonstrating the Table A-III/6 competencies and completing the required on-board training. The bridging route varies by flag state. An ETO cannot stand a navigational or engineering watch in lieu of a deck or engine officer; the roles are distinct.

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) career — STCW III/6

The Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) is the ship's electrical and electronic specialist. The role was formalised by the 2010 Manila Amendments to STCW, which created two new certifications under Chapter III: the ETO (STCW III/6) at officer level and the Electro-Technical Rating (ETR, STCW III/7) at rating level. On modern vessels — particularly large container ships, LNG carriers, cruise ships, and offshore units — the ETO manages high-voltage switchboards, power management systems (PMS), bridge electronics, automation systems, ballast water treatment electronics, and shore-power connection equipment. The ETO does not stand a routine watch but is on-call for fault diagnosis and repair. Entry is typically from an electrical, electronic, or automation engineering background, with conversion to the maritime domain through a bridging programme and on-board training. The role suits engineers who prefer technical depth over operational watchkeeping.

ETO vs ETR — the two STCW III roles

Electro-Technical Rating (ETR)STCW III/7

Certificate: Certificate of Proficiency — ETR (STCW A-III/7)
Sea time: 12 months relevant sea service or 6 months approved workshop + sea-time combination per STCW Reg III/7
Prerequisites: BST · AFF · Electrical or electronic trade qualification or apprenticeship

Supports the ETO in cable installation, motor maintenance, battery maintenance, switchboard work, and automation fault-finding. Works under supervision. Gateway to the ETO role for candidates without a full engineering degree.

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)STCW III/6

Certificate: Certificate of Proficiency — ETO (STCW A-III/6)
Sea time: 12 months on-board training as ETR or ETO trainee per STCW Reg III/6 (or approved combined programme)
Prerequisites: ETR CoP (or equivalent) + electro-technical engineering degree or equivalent approved programme · BST · AFF · Medical First Aid · High Voltage (≥ 1,000 V) endorsement · ECDIS familiarisation

Officer-level position. Manages all electrical, electronic, and control systems on board. Reports to Chief Engineer. No routine watch duty; on-call schedule. Signs off electrical maintenance records under the ship's SMS.

High-voltage endorsement

High-voltage (HV) systems — defined under IEC and STCW as installations at or above 1,000 V AC (or 1,500 V DC) — are standard on vessels with large propulsion systems: LNG carriers with electric propulsion, cruise ships, large container vessels (6,500 TEU+), offshore support vessels, and cable-laying ships. STCW Table A-III/6 explicitly includes competence in HV systems as part of the ETO standard. Many flag states additionally require a standalone HV endorsement (typically 2–3 days, combining theory and practical HV switchboard and isolation-procedure exercises). Candidates should verify whether their flag state requires a separate HV CoP or accepts integrated coverage in the main ETO course.

The qualifications — STCW Table A-III/6 competencies

The mandatory minimum competencies under Table A-III/6 include:

· Monitor and control electrical systems, including HV installations
· Monitor and control automation and control systems
· Maintenance and repair of electrical and electronic equipment (switchboards, motors, generators, UPS)
· Maintenance and repair of bridge equipment (ECDIS, AIS, radar, gyro, echo sounder, GMDSS ancillaries)
· Maintenance and repair of control and safety systems (PMS, alarm monitoring, fire detection)
· Safe use of electrical test equipment and compliance with electrical safety regulations
· Application of ISM requirements to planned-maintenance systems for electrical equipment
· Leadership and teamwork (HELM) at the operational or management level as required by flag state

Sea time required

STCW Regulation III/6 requires 12 months of on-board training as part of an approved seagoing service programme. This may be served as an ETR (rating level) on board, or via an integrated ETO cadet programme. Some flag states accept a shorter on-board period where workshop training hours are credited. Flag-state-specific — verify with the issuing administration.

Training routes by country

Philippines (MARINA)
ETO certification issued by MARINA. Candidates typically hold a BS Electronics Engineering or BS Electrical Engineering degree and complete a MARINA-approved ETO bridging programme plus 12 months on-board training. ETR certification available via shorter METC training. Flag-state-specific — verify with marina.gov.ph.
India (DG Shipping)
DG Shipping issues ETO Certificates of Competency. Candidates require a degree in electrical or electronics engineering from a DG-recognised institution plus the DG-approved ETO pre-sea training course and 12 months on-board training. Flag-state-specific — verify with dgshipping.gov.in.
Ukraine (Maradmin)
Electrotechnical specialisations are offered at ONMU and affiliated academies. ETO CoP awarded on completion of the accredited programme and state examination. Flag-state-specific — verify with the Ukrainian Maritime Administration.
United Kingdom (UK MCA)
UK MCA issues the ETO Certificate of Equivalency (or full CoP) on application by candidates who can demonstrate the Table A-III/6 competencies. MCA does not run an integrated ETO degree programme; candidates typically present an electrical engineering degree, a flag-approved ETO course (e.g. from Warsash Maritime School or Fleetwood Nautical Campus), and 12 months sea time. Flag-state-specific — verify with gov.uk/MCA.
Norway (Sjøfartsdirektoratet)
Elektroteknisk offiser certification via the NMA. Candidates with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from a maritime-focused programme can apply after the required on-board training period. Flag-state-specific — verify with sdir.no.

Salary ranges

ETOs are typically paid between senior engineer officer and Chief Mate rates, reflecting their specialist skills and the shortage of qualified candidates. Indicative 2025 monthly ranges:

· ETR — USD 1,800–2,800/month (rating scale).
· ETO (bulk / container) — USD 4,500–7,000/month.
· ETO (cruise / LNG) — USD 7,000–11,000/month; HV and automation specialists command the top end.

See salary database for full data.

Career progression

The ETO is typically a single-rank position on board most vessels — there is no formal STCW progression above ETO within the electro-technical department. Advancement routes include: promotion to Senior ETO or Chief Electrical Officer on very large vessels (cruise ships, FPSO units); shoreside roles as Electrical Superintendent or Technical Superintendent with a ship management company; survey and inspection roles with classification societies (DNV, Lloyd's Register, Bureau Veritas); maritime automation and ECDIS manufacturer support roles. ETOs with additional qualifications in cybersecurity (e.g. ISO/IEC 27001 awareness, IMO MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3 cyber-risk management) are increasingly sought for shoreside maritime cyber roles.

Frequently asked questions

When was the ETO role introduced into STCW?
The Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) and Electro-Technical Rating (ETR) were introduced by the 2010 Manila Amendments to STCW, which entered into force on 1 January 2012. Before Manila, the electrical officer role existed operationally but had no STCW-mandated certificate. From 2012, any seafarer serving as ETO on a ship of 750 kW or more must hold an ETO Certificate of Proficiency (STCW III/6).
What is the difference between an ETO and an ETR?
The Electro-Technical Rating (ETR, STCW III/7) is a support-level rating who maintains electrical equipment under the supervision of the ETO. The ETO (STCW III/6) is an officer-level position responsible for the overall management of the ship's electrical, electronic, and control systems. The ETO reports to the Chief Engineer and does not stand a regular engineering watch but is on-call for technical faults.
Is a marine engineering degree required to become an ETO?
STCW A-III/6 requires either (a) an approved programme of electro-technical education and training plus at least 12 months of on-board training, or (b) an approved programme combining workshop skills, simulator training, and sea time. Many flag states accept an electrical or electronic engineering degree (not marine-specific) combined with a maritime ETO bridging course. Verify with your flag administration.
What does the high-voltage endorsement cover?
High-Voltage (HV) training covers the safe working practices, isolation procedures, and testing of electrical systems operating at 1,000 V or above. HV systems are standard on LNG carriers, large container ships, cruise vessels, and offshore units. STCW Table A-III/6 includes competency in HV systems as part of the ETO standard; many flag states additionally require a standalone HV endorsement course.
Can a deck or engineer officer cross-qualify as an ETO?
Yes — a qualified engineer officer with an electrical engineering background can apply for ETO certification on most flags by demonstrating the Table A-III/6 competencies and completing the required on-board training. The bridging route varies by flag state. An ETO cannot stand a navigational or engineering watch in lieu of a deck or engine officer; the roles are distinct.

Primary sources

Flag-state caveat: STCW sets the international minimum for ETO and ETR certification. Individual flag administrations may require additional national examinations, specific engineering degree qualifications, or supplementary courses such as a standalone HV endorsement. Always verify with the issuing flag-state administration.

This page is for information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Requirements change — verify with your flag administration before acting.