STCW and the Maritime Labour Convention
1The lesson in plain words
STCW sets what you must know and prove to hold your certificate. The MLC sets how you must be employed, housed, fed and cared for.
STCW structure
The 1978 STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) was substantially amended in 1995 and by the 2010 Manila amendments, which entered into force on 1 January 2012. It has three layers. The articles contain the treaty rules. The regulations in the Annex are grouped in chapters; chapter II is the deck department. The STCW Code gives the detail: Part A is mandatory, with the competence tables, and Part B is guidance.
Certificates
A certificate of competency (CoC) lets an officer serve in a rank, such as officer in charge of a navigational watch (II/1) or master (II/2). A certificate of proficiency (CoP) proves a skill, such as basic training. You revalidate (renew) your CoC every five years under the issuing state’s continued-competence rules. A medical certificate lasts at most two years for adults, or one year if you are under 18. On a ship of another flag you need that flag's endorsement attesting recognition of your CoC.
Recent STCW changes
Resolution MSC.560(108) amended the basic training table A-VI/1-4. From 1 January 2026 it adds preventing and responding to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault. Flags decide how existing holders catch up. Personal safety covers the content. The IMO is also running a comprehensive review of STCW, so watch for larger changes later this decade.
The MLC
The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) comes from the International Labour Organization (ILO). Its tripartite process brings governments, shipowners and seafarers together. Five titles cover minimum requirements, employment, accommodation and food, health and welfare, and compliance. Covered ships of 500 GT or more on international voyages or operating from a foreign port need a Maritime Labour Certificate and Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC). The certificate confirms compliance. DMLC Part I states the flag’s requirements; Part II records the shipowner’s measures to meet them.
MLC amendments
Code amendments go through a tripartite committee and the International Labour Conference. They are deemed accepted after two years unless enough members disagree, and enter into force six months later. The 2022 amendments (internet access, free drinking water, properly sized personal protective equipment) entered into force on 23 December 2024. The 2025 amendments (harassment, shore leave, repatriation, seafarers as key workers) were approved in June 2025 and are expected in force on 23 December 2027. Your rights in detail are in Human factors.
2Key data
- STCW Manila amendments
- In force 1 January 2012
- CoC revalidation
- Every 5 years
- Medical certificate
- Adults: at most 2 years; under 18: at most 1 year
- MSC.560(108)
- Harassment in basic training, in force 1 Jan 2026
- MLC 2022 amendments
- In force 23 December 2024
- MLC 2025 amendments
- Approved June 2025; expected in force 23 Dec 2027
3Key points
- 1
STCW: articles, regulations and Code; Part A is mandatory, Part B is guidance.
- 2
A CoC is revalidated every five years; medical validity is at most two years for adults, one if under 18.
- 3
Since 1 January 2026, basic training includes preventing violence and harassment.
- 4
The MLC is the ILO's seafarers' convention: 2022 amendments in force; 2025 ones expected Dec 2027.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: STCW Code Part B is optional, so it never matters.
Right: Part B is guidance, but flags and port states use it to judge whether Part A is met.
Wrong: Your national CoC is enough on any foreign-flag ship.
Right: You also need the flag state's endorsement attesting recognition of your CoC.
Wrong: The 2025 MLC amendments on shore leave are already in force.
Right: They are expected to enter into force on 23 December 2027.
5Practice case & exam keys
You are offered a second mate's job on a Liberian-flag ship. You hold a valid national CoC and a medical certificate issued 26 months ago. What is missing before you can sign on?
Show the answer
Renew your medical before joining; at 26 months it is expired. Obtain the Liberian endorsement recognising your CoC. Exceptionally, the flag may permit service for up to three months while recognition is processed. You must hold an appropriate, valid CoC and documentary proof that an application for endorsement has been submitted. Confirm permission with the company before joining; a receipt alone is not permission to sail.
Exam keys
- STCW 1978 as amended (Manila 2010, in force 2012); Code Part A mandatory.
- CoC every 5 years; medical at most 2 years for adults, 1 if under 18; endorsement attesting recognition for another flag.
- MSC.560(108): violence and harassment in A-VI/1-4 from 1 January 2026.
- MLC 2006: in force 2013; 2022 amendments 23 Dec 2024; 2025 amendments expected 23 Dec 2027.
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