STCW

Bryan Flowers

Last verified 4 months ago

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, is the IMO instrument that sets the minimum competence requirements for seafarers worldwide. It is what makes a Filipino AB's certificate equally acceptable to a Greek shipowner, a Singaporean port state, and a Liberian flag — and what gives port-state inspectors the power to detain a ship whose officers cannot produce valid certificates.

STCW is structured as the Convention itself (the legal articles), the STCW Code Part A (mandatory standards), and Part B (recommended guidance). Flag states issue Certificates of Competency (CoCs) to officers and Certificates of Proficiency (CoPs) to ratings and to officers for specialist endorsements. Where a seafarer holds a CoC from one flag and works on a ship of another flag, the second flag issues an Endorsement Attesting Recognition (EAR) under Regulation I/10.

Chapters

Chapter IGeneral provisions
Definitions, application, communication of information, and Standards of Training (STA) — the "flag state’s confirmation that its CoCs meet STCW."
Chapter IIMaster and deck department
Mandatory minimum requirements for: OOW (II/1), Chief Mate and Master ≥ 500 GT (II/2 and II/2-equivalent), OOW under 500 GT (II/3), Ratings forming part of a navigational watch (II/4), Able Seafarer Deck (II/5).
Chapter IIIEngine department
OOW Engineer ≥ 750 kW (III/1), Chief and Second Engineer ≥ 3000 kW (III/2), OOW under 3000 kW (III/3), Ratings forming part of an engineering watch (III/4), Able Seafarer Engine (III/5), Electro-Technical Officer (III/6), Electro-Technical Rating (III/7).
Chapter IVRadiocommunication and radio personnel
GMDSS GOC (IV/2 General Operator's Certificate) and GMDSS ROC (Restricted Operator's Certificate, Sea Area A1 only).
Chapter VSpecial training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships
Tanker familiarisation and advanced (V/1-1, V/1-2 oil/chemical/gas), Passenger ship crowd & crisis management (V/2), IGF Code training for low-flashpoint fuels (V/3), Polar Code training (V/4).
Chapter VIEmergency, occupational safety, security, medical care and survival
Basic Safety Training (VI/1 — PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR), PSCRB and FRB (VI/2), Advanced Fire Fighting (VI/3), Medical First Aid and Medical Care (VI/4), Ship Security Officer (VI/5), Security awareness and designated security duties (VI/6).
Chapter VIIAlternative certification
Permits flag states to issue alternative certificates that combine deck and engine functions, provided the level of safety is at least equivalent.
Chapter VIIIWatchkeeping
Fitness for duty (rest hours: 10 in 24 / 77 in 7), watchkeeping arrangements, principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch, an engine watch, and a port watch.

Key amendments & the 2026 review

19951995 amendments
Reorganised the Convention into a Convention plus a mandatory Code (Part A) and recommended guidance (Part B). Introduced White List of compliant administrations.
2010Manila Amendments (in force 1 Jan 2012)
Major update: ECDIS competence, leadership and teamwork, Able Seafarer endorsements, Electro-Technical Officer (ETO), Polar Code training framework, refresher requirements clarified, security training requirements (post-ISPS).
2014Refrigerants & enclosed-space entry
Added explicit competencies for handling refrigerants and for enclosed-space entry and rescue (in response to repeated multi-fatality incidents).
2016–2017IGF Code & Polar Code
Mandatory training for ships subject to the IGF Code (low-flashpoint fuels — LNG initially) and the Polar Code.
2024Remote control of unmanned engine rooms (interim)
Interim guidance on competence for engineers operating UMS (unattended machinery space) installations from the bridge.
2026 comprehensive review2026 review (in progress)
First end-to-end review of the Convention since 1995. Topics under negotiation include: dedicated bullying and harassment training (mandatory new module), updated tanker training, autonomous and remotely controlled ships (MASS), alternative fuels (ammonia, methanol, hydrogen), simulator-based assessment expanded, mental health and fitness-for-duty.

CoC vs CoP vs EAR

Certificate of Competency (CoC) — issued by a flag state to officers (deck, engine, radio) who have met training, sea-time, examination, and medical requirements. Examples: OOW Unlimited, Chief Mate ≥ 3000 GT, EOOW ≥ 750 kW.
Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) — issued for specialist competencies and for ratings: Able Seafarer Deck/Engine, Tanker Advanced, Polar Code, GMDSS, ETO, ETR, SSO. Held in addition to (or instead of) a CoC.
Endorsement Attesting Recognition (EAR) — issued by a flag state under STCW Regulation I/10 to recognise a foreign-issued CoC. Required to serve under that flag. Has its own expiry, often shorter than the underlying CoC.

Revalidation

CoCs and most CoPs are valid for five years. Continued competence is demonstrated by either 12 months of approved sea service in the previous five years, or 3 months in the previous six months, plus refresher training where required. PSCRB / FRB / AFF require a practical refresher every five years; tanker advanced courses require recurrent training per IMO Model Course timelines. See the dedicated help topic on revalidation.

White List & recognition

IMO MSC reviews each Party's implementation of STCW; those whose national legislation, training, certification, and oversight are independently audited as fully complying are included on the "White List" of confirmed parties. Most major flag states are White-Listed; failure to maintain status can lead to non-recognition of a flag's CoCs by trading partners.