IMO STCW Review

Chapters II and III

As part of a five-year review intended to update the IMO’s Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW), the IMO’s working group of member states and organisations in consultative status received 154 separate proposals to amend Chapters II (Deck) and III (Engine) training requirements.

An additional 6 papers of comments were received for consideration at the two-week meeting.

The headline provisional outcome sees an intent to allow up to three months of seagoing service currently required for deck, engine and ETO officers’ first Certificates of Competence (STCW II/1, III/1 and III/6) to be substituted by shore-based simulator training.

This outcome was supported and promoted by over 37 flag States represented at the IMO.

The fine details of this proposal (such as what types of simulators and the ratio of simulator training to seagoing service substitution) will be determined when the review resumes in spring 2027.

Other key provisional outcomes include:

• New training requirements regarding mental health, cultural sensitivity, and the prevention of, plus the response to, violence and harassment were provisionally agreed. These are in additional to the recent changes to PSSR training.
• A recommendation for an independent shore contact for all trainees who experience poor training, harassment or bullying will be considered for inclusion in the STCW Code Part B.
• Limited new competences were provisionally agreed regarding Ballast Water Management System knowledge.
• Generic competences regarding cyber security and awareness training at the operational level were provisionally agreed.

The full report of the working group will be considered at the next meeting of the IMO’s Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping sub-Committee which meets in Spring 2027.

At the same time, proposals to amend Chapters I and IV will be discussed in detail.

It should be noted that all outcomes from this week are provisional.

No part of the review will be finalised until summer 2030, when the Maritime Safety Committee will consider the entire package of proposed amendments across all Chapters. Thereafter, the amendments to the STCW Code are expected to be adopted in late 2030.

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