STCW — Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) is the IMO instrument that defines the minimum competence every commercial seafarer must hold before going to sea. It is structured as three interlocking documents: the Convention itself (legal articles), the mandatory STCW Code Part A (the Annex tables of minimum standards), and the non-binding Code Part B (recommended guidance). The 1978 base convention was substantially restructured by the 1995 amendments, which created the current Code architecture and the White List of compliant flag-state administrations. The 2010 Manila Amendments — the largest single update — introduced ECDIS competence, leadership and teamwork requirements, the Electro-Technical Officer certificate, Polar Code training provisions, and mandatory refresher requirements for a range of endorsements. The 2024 amendments converted the guideline on harassment and bullying prevention from optional guidance to a mandatory STCW standard, with effect from 1 January 2026. A comprehensive review of the entire Convention — the first since 1995 — is proceeding through IMO MSC with further 2026 entry-into-force amendments covering MASS (autonomous ships), alternative fuels (ammonia, methanol, hydrogen), mental health, and expanded simulator-based assessment.

Flag states issue Certificates of Competency (CoCs) to officers who have completed the required training, sea service, and examinations, and Certificates of Proficiency (CoPs) for specialist endorsements and ratings. When an officer works under a second flag, that flag issues an Endorsement Attesting Recognition (EAR) under STCW Regulation I/10. Every CoC and most CoPs carry a five-year validity and must be revalidated by demonstrating continued competence.

STCW topics

• 2024 & 2026 amendments

  Harassment training, cyber-awareness for officers, mental health, polar/IGF/passenger-ship strengthening, and the 2026 comprehensive review.

• Bullying & harassment training

  Mandatory new STCW module: who needs it, course content, approved providers, refresher cycle, and intersection with MLC 2006 Reg 4.3 and ILO C190.

• Basic Safety Training (BST)

  STCW Table A-VI/1 — the four modules (PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR) required of every seafarer before first sea-going service.

• CoC revalidation

  Five-year validity, sea-service proof options, refresher courses (PSCRB, FRB, AFF, ARPA), flag-state variations, and what to do if your CoC lapses.

• Certificate verification

  How to verify a CoC is genuine — top-10 flag-state administration portals: MARINA, DG Shipping, LISCR, RMI, AMP, BMA, SDIR, NMC, MCA, HRMM.

• Country guides

  Per-country STCW pathway treatment for 25 flag and supply states — training systems, national certificates, and issuing authorities.

• IMO Model Courses

  Non-binding IMO course frameworks used by STCW-approved training providers — major numbered courses, where to source content, and how centres deliver them.

Related resources

• STCW technical reference

  Chapters I–VIII, CoC vs CoP vs EAR, White List — the detailed convention treatment.

• Career pathways reference

  Consolidated STCW deck / engine / ETO progression table from cadet to command.

• Certifications database

  Every STCW course indexed with prerequisites, validity, and typical cost.

• Maritime careers hub

  All entry routes — deck, engine, specialist tracks, and shore-adjacent roles.

• Training centres directory

  STCW-accredited academies worldwide.

• Hours of rest (STCW VIII)

  10 h rest in 24 / 77 h rest in 7 — the watchkeeping fitness-for-duty rules.

Primary sources

• · IMO — STCW Convention overview
• · IMO — STCW Convention and Code text + amendments
• · IMO — STCW Convention Annex (PDF)

Flag-state caveat: STCW sets the international minimum — individual flag administrations may impose additional requirements (examinations, sea time, national certificates, medical standards). Always verify current requirements with your issuing administration before enrolling in a training programme. See the country guides for per-flag detail and the training-centres directory for accredited providers.