STCW certifications
Core STCW certificates and how to get them. Country guides coming for top seafarer-supplying nations (Philippines, India, Ukraine, Indonesia, Russia, China).
Cargo Tanker
- Advanced Chemical Tanker Operations · A-V/1-1-3 · 40h
Officer-level competency for chemical tankers. Covers IBC Code cargoes, segregation, handling incompatibilities, emergency response.
- Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Operations · A-V/1-2-2 · 50h
Officer-level training for LNG/LPG carriers. Covers IGC Code, cargo handling, cooldown, inerting, emergency systems.
- Advanced Oil Tanker Operations · A-V/1-1-2 · 40h
Officer-level competency for oil tankers. Covers cargo operations, tank cleaning, inerting, COW, vapour emission control.
- Basic Liquefied Gas Tanker Familiarization · A-V/1-2-1 · 24h
Baseline training for seafarers working on LNG/LPG carriers at the support level.
- Basic Tanker Familiarization (Oil & Chemical) · A-V/1-1-1 · 24h
Safety and operations on oil and chemical tankers at the support level. Mandatory before assignment to a tanker of those types.
STCW Advanced
- Advanced Fire Fighting · A-VI/3 · 32h · valid 5y
For those designated to control fire-fighting operations aboard. Covers command of firefighting parties, tactics, and investigation.
STCW Basic
- Basic Safety Training · A-VI/1 · 40h · valid 5y
Four modules every seafarer must complete before working onboard: personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, personal safety and social responsibilities.
Navigation
- Bridge Resource Management · A-II/1, A-II/2 · 32h
Teamwork, communication, error management, and decision-making on the navigation bridge. Required for watchkeeping and command-level deck officers.
- ECDIS Generic Training · A-II/1, A-II/2 · 40h
Operation of the Electronic Chart Display and Information System: chart management, route planning, alarms, overlays, back-up arrangements.
Passenger Ships
- Crowd Management, Passenger Safety & Safety Training · A-V/2 · 16h
Required for all crew on passenger vessels. Covers crowd control, emergency procedures, communication under stress, human behaviour.
Engineering
- Engine Room Resource Management · A-III/1, A-III/2 · 32h
Equivalent of BRM for the engine room — coordination, communication, and decision-making among engine watchkeepers.
STCW Medical
- Medical Care · A-VI/4-2 · 48h
For officers designated to take charge of medical care onboard — deeper clinical skills including drug administration, minor surgery, and telemedicine.
- Medical First Aid · A-VI/4-1 · 24h
Onboard medical first aid training for seafarers designated to provide first aid. Covers assessment, bleeding, shock, burns, and basic resuscitation.
Polar
- Polar Code Advanced Training · A-V/4-2 · 35h
For masters and chief mates serving on ships operating in polar waters. Builds on basic training with deeper operational and emergency content.
- Polar Code Basic Training · A-V/4-1 · 30h
Mandatory for officers in charge of a navigational watch serving on ships operating in polar waters. Covers ice conditions, vessel handling, survival.
STCW Welfare
- Prevention of Bullying and Harassment (2026 STCW Update) · A-VI/1 (2026 Amendment) · 8h
Mandatory module introduced by the 2026 IMO amendments. Covers recognising bullying and harassment, bystander intervention, confidential reporting channels, shipowner duties.
STCW Lifeboat
- Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats · A-VI/2-2 · 28h · valid 5y
Launching, recovery, and handling of fast rescue boats in adverse weather. Usually required on offshore and cruise vessels.
- Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats · A-VI/2-1 · 32h · valid 5y
Covers launching, operating, and navigating lifeboats and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats. Required for lifeboat certificate.
STCW Security
- Security Awareness Training · A-VI/6-1 · 4h
Baseline security training required for all seafarers working on vessels subject to the ISPS Code.
- Security-Related Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties · A-VI/6-2 · 8h
Required for any seafarer assigned security duties (gangway watch, access control, restricted area patrol).
- Ship Security Officer · A-VI/5 · 16h
Certificate of Proficiency for designated Ship Security Officers. Covers ISPS Code duties, ship security plan maintenance, threat response.