STCW Code Amendments Make Harassment Prevention Training Mandatory for All Seafarers

Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers adopted at MSC 108 have introduced mandatory harassment and bullying prevention training as a component of seafarer certification and competency requirements.

The amendments, which took effect alongside other STCW updates in early 2026, require that all seafarers demonstrate competency in recognizing, preventing, and reporting harassment and bullying in the maritime workplace. The training must cover sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination, and the establishment of respectful working environments aboard ship.

The regulatory change follows years of advocacy by maritime welfare organizations including the Mission to Seafarers, the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network, and the ITF. Research conducted by the Seafarers International Research Centre at Cardiff University found that 25 percent of surveyed seafarers had experienced bullying or harassment during their careers, with rates significantly higher among women, cadets, and seafarers from developing nations.

For maritime education and training institutions, the amendments require curriculum updates across all levels of certification. Basic safety training courses under STCW Section A-VI/1 must now include a harassment prevention module. Officer-level training under Sections A-II/1 and A-II/2 must include leadership components addressing the master's and officers' responsibility to maintain a harassment-free environment and respond to complaints.

The Philippine Maritime Industry Authority has issued Circular 2026-04 implementing the amendments for Filipino seafarers. Given that the Philippines supplies approximately 25 percent of the world's seafaring workforce, the maritime authority's implementation is closely watched by the global industry. The circular requires all approved maritime training centers to integrate the new modules into existing courses by July 1, 2026, with a transition period allowing seafarers to complete supplementary training during their next scheduled revalidation.

Flag state administrations are adopting varied implementation approaches. The Marshall Islands, Liberia, and Panama, the three largest flag states by tonnage, have all issued Marine Notices confirming acceptance of the amendments and establishing recognition criteria for approved training programs. The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has issued MIN 704 providing detailed guidance on syllabus content and assessment criteria.

Shipboard implementation presents practical challenges. Training must reach seafarers of diverse nationalities, languages, and cultural backgrounds. The amendments recognize this by permitting delivery in multiple formats including classroom instruction, onboard training under the ship's safety management system, and approved e-learning modules. Several major shipping companies including Maersk, MSC, and NYK have developed proprietary training programs that have been submitted to flag states for approval.

For manning agencies, the amendments create an additional pre-deployment verification requirement. Agencies must confirm that embarking seafarers hold valid certificates reflecting the updated competency requirements. During the transition period, seafarers with certificates issued before the amendment date can continue to serve, but must complete the additional training before their next certificate renewal.

The broader significance of the amendments is the formal recognition that crew welfare and workplace culture are safety issues. The ISM Code has always required shipowners to ensure safe working conditions, but the STCW amendments make explicit that a workplace free from harassment and bullying is a competency standard, not merely a recommended practice.