Georgian seafarer guide

Georgia is a growing seafarer-supplying nation with around 14,000 active seafarers (2024 data), serving heavily on Black Sea trade, Mediterranean container, and FoC fleets. The certification pathway runs through MarAdmin Georgia (Maritime Transport Agency) under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. Georgia ratified MLC 2006 in 2012 (effective 2013) and is a Tokyo MoU corresponding member; Georgian seafarers are widely recruited by Western Mediterranean and European operators.

Regulatory authorities

• MarAdmin Georgia — Maritime Transport Agency. Issues STCW CoCs and CoPs, manages the Georgian ship registry, runs Black Sea MoU port-state control on its segment.
• Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons, Labour, Health and Social Affairs. Oversees manning agency licensing and worker welfare.

Training pathway

The dominant institution is Batumi State Maritime Academy (BSMA), offering 4-year Bachelor of Engineering programmes in Nautical Studies and Marine Engineering. Cadetships at sea are arranged through partnerships with international ship operators. After graduation, MarAdmin Georgia issues the STCW CoC. Georgian credentials are recognised on most flags via STCW Reg. I/10 white-list status.

• · BSMA — Batumi State Maritime Academy, the flagship institution.
• · Anaklia State Maritime School — newer institution focused on rating-rank training.

Common employers

Georgian seafarers serve heavily through manning agents on Greek, Cypriot, Maltese, Italian, German, and Norwegian flags. V.Ships, BSM, Marlow Navigation, Anglo-Eastern Univan, Columbia Shipmanagement, and Tsakos Group all recruit Georgian officers. Verify the manning agent's MarAdmin licence before signing the SEA. Georgian seafarers are relatively well-paid by regional standards because of their STCW recognition and English proficiency.

Joining airport and visa

Most Georgian seafarers depart Tbilisi International (TBS) or Kutaisi (KUT), occasionally Batumi (BUS) for regional joinings. Georgian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to many countries including the Schengen area (90/180 days) but require a C-1/D for US joining ports. Carry the seaman's book, original SEA, and manning-agent letter of guarantee.

Common scams to avoid

• · Recruitment fees — prohibited under ILO C181 / MLC A1.4(5)(b).
• · Forged STCW certificates — verify directly with MarAdmin Georgia.
• · Side-letter contracts below the SEA — unenforceable.
• · "Cruise crewing fees" from unaccredited brokers — major cruise lines recruit through accredited agents without recruitment fees.

If something goes wrong

Contact the Trade Union of Seafarers of Georgia, the ITF Inspectorate at the next port, ISWAN SeafarerHelp 24/7, and MarAdmin's seafarer welfare unit for flag-state complaints. For specific cases see abandonment, unpaid wages, and repatriation blocking.

Sources: MarAdmin Georgia, BSMA, Georgian Code on Merchant Shipping, ILO MLC 2006, Black Sea MoU, IMO STCW Convention.

Editorial confidence: how we grade. Country-specific rules change — always verify with the national maritime authority before acting.