Resolution MSC.560(108) of the International Maritime Organization, adopted on 23 May 2024, amended the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code) that entered into force on 01 January 2026.
The Amendments have been made to chapter VI “Standards regarding Emergency, Occupational Safety, Security, Medical Care and Survival Functions” of part A of the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code). Namely, table A-VI/1-4 of section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code was replaced and supplemented with relevant competencies necessary to contribute to prevention of and response to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault.
Seafarers holding valid certificates of proficiency under the programmes “Basic Safety Training”, “Basic Safety Training (short course)” and “Familiarization, Basic Training and Instruction for All Seafarers”, in order to acquire competencies introduced by the Amendments, may undergo training in the relevant areas at seafarers’ training institutions whose programmes have been approved by the ShippingAdministration in accordance with the Amendments.
The current List of Seafarers’ Training Institutions Whose Approved Training Programmes Comply with the Amendments is available on the official website of the Shipping Administration in the “News” section (listed training areas in the column “Approved training areas of the educational and training institution” are marked with a note “The programme was developed in accordance with resolution MSC.560(108) of the International Maritime Organization”).
The validity of qualification documents in the areas of “Basic Safety Training”, “Basic Safety Training (short course)” and “Familiarization, Basic Training and Instruction for All Seafarers”, including those issued by seafarers’ training institutions before the relevant Amendments were incorporated into the training programmes, may be verified using the verification service for seafarers’ qualification documents available at https://vrf.marad.gov.ua/check-document?lang=en.