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STCW sets the international minimum — what it does not set is the national training system, examination structure, national certificate requirements, or the administrative process through which a seafarer obtains their CoC. A Filipino AB following the MARINA pathway, an Indian deck cadet sitting DG Shipping MMD orals, a Ukrainian officer revalidating through Maradmin, and a Greek Master renewing through HRMM are all meeting the same STCW international standard, but through very different national routes. The guides below cover the per-country training system, issuing authorities, national certificates, sea-time rules, and contact information for the 25 countries that collectively supply the majority of the world's commercial seafarers.
For verification portals for the major flag-state administrations, see certificate verification. For the consolidated STCW chapter and certificate structure, see the STCW technical reference.
Department of Shipping (DoS) certificate framework, BIMSA training centres, and the CDC requirement for Bangladeshi seafarers.
NORMAN regulations under Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil), HEBRAICA certificates, and offshore-sector pathways.
Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) certificate system, exam cities, and China's role as a major deck and engine officer supplier.
Egyptian Maritime Safety Authority (EMSA) and the Suez Canal Authority training pipeline for Egyptian seafarers.
Georgian Maritime Transport Agency (GMTA), Batumi Naval Academy, and the Georgian officer-supply pipeline to European shipping.
HRMM (Hellenic Republic Ministry of Maritime Affairs) certificates, merchant marine academies, and Greek officer pathways.
Directorate General of Sea Transportation (DGST) certificate system, BPSDM KP training, and domestic vs international pathway differences.
DG Shipping CoCs, INDOS numbers, Approved Training Institutes (ATIs), and the India MMD examination system.
Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) certificates, Kenya Ports Authority training arm, and East African seafarer pathways.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and Sri Lanka Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) certificate system.
Myanmar Mercantile Marine — certificates, training at the Myanmar Maritime University, and pathways for Burmese seafarers.
Mauritius Shipping Division, Mauritius Maritime Training Academy (MMTA), and small-island-state seafarer supply.
Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) merchant marine arm, UNAM nautical programmes, and Mexican seafarer certification.
Marine Department Malaysia (MARINE) certificate system, ALAM academy, and pathways for Malaysian deck and engine officers.
MARINA CoCs, Philippine Maritime Education and Training (PMET) standards, and the world's largest seafarer-supply system.
Directorate General of Ports and Shipping Pakistan (DGPS), Pakistan Marine Academy, and Pakistani seafarer pathways.
Polish Maritime Administration CoCs, Gdynia Maritime University, and Poland's role in European officer supply.
Romanian Naval Authority (ANR) certificates, Constanta Maritime University, and Romanian officer supply to EU and global fleets.
Rosmorrechflot (Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport) CoCs, maritime academies in St. Petersburg and Vladivostok.
Marine Department Thailand (กรมเจ้าท่า) certificate system, MUIC and KMITL maritime programmes, and Thai seafarer pathways.
Turkish Directorate General of Maritime Affairs (DGMA) CoCs, Istanbul and İzmir maritime faculties, and Turkish seafarer supply.
Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) certificate system, Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute, and Tanzanian seafarer pathways.
State Inspection for Safety on Maritime and River Transport (Maradmin), Odesa maritime academies, and Ukrainian officer supply.
Vietnam Maritime Administration (VINAMARINE) certificates, Vietnam Maritime University (VMU), and Vietnamese seafarer pathways.
Cross-reference matrix: which seafarer nationalities can work under which flags without a national certificate — recognition agreements and bilateral MoUs.
Flag-state caveat: National STCW implementation varies — training requirements, exam formats, certificate fees, and processing times change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing flag-state administration before committing to a training programme or a vessel assignment. IMO White List status is maintained at IMO GISIS.