STCW 2023 Convention: New Obligations for Shipping Companies and Seafarers

Key data

Spanish shipping companies, shipowners and maritime training centers have new obligations following the publication in the Official Gazette on April 17, 2026 of the 2023 amendments to the STCW Convention of 1978 (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers), adopted by the International Maritime Organization through Resolution MSC.540(107) on June 8, 2023 in London.

The message for any company in the sector is clear: whoever does not adapt their crews and training programs to the new standards risks not being able to operate in international ports. It is not a theoretical risk: it is a direct consequence of non-compliance.

What does this regulation establish?

The amendments update international standards for training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers. The areas of competence that are affected include:

• Electronic navigation: new competency requirements for the use of digital and electronic navigation systems.
• Safety: updating training standards for onboard safety procedures.
• Energy efficiency: incorporation of competencies related to efficient energy consumption management on vessels.
• New alternative fuels: specific training for handling alternative fuels being adopted by the maritime industry.

Spain, as a State party to the STCW Convention, is obliged to incorporate these amendments into its internal legal system. This means that Spanish maritime training and certification regulations must be adapted to reflect the new international requirements.

Economic and operational impact

The impact of these amendments translates into real costs for companies in the sector. Although the regulation does not specify concrete penalty amounts, the economic and operational effects are significant:

The most serious operational risk is the inability to operate in international ports if crews do not have updated certifications. For a shipping company with international routes, this could mean a complete halt to its commercial activity.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish shipowners and shipping companies: must adapt their internal training programs and verify that all their crews meet the new standards before the regulation comes into force.
• Ship captains and officers: may need additional training or updating of their certifications in the areas of electronic navigation, safety, energy efficiency and alternative fuels.
• Active seafarers: depending on their category and functions onboard, may be required to complete new training modules.
• Maritime training centers: must update their curricula to include new content and obtain corresponding accreditations from the competent authorities.
• HR and operations departments of shipping companies: responsible for managing verification and updating of certifications for all onboard personnel.

Practical example

A Spanish shipping company with a fleet of five cargo vessels operating international routes has captains, bridge officers and engineering officers onboard. With the entry into force of the STCW amendments, the operations department must:

1. Review the current certifications of all officers to identify whether any of the new areas of competence (electronic navigation, energy efficiency, alternative fuels) are not covered by their current training.
2. Contract with an accredited maritime training center the necessary update courses for each profile.
3. Verify that the chosen training center has already updated its curricula and accreditations in accordance with the new amendments. If it has not, the training received will not be valid for compliance with the STCW Convention.

If the shipping company does not complete this process before the regulation becomes enforceable, any of its vessels could be detained or denied access to an international port by port State control (PSC) authorities, with the operational and reputational cost that entails.

What should companies do now?

1. Audit current crew certifications: review what certificates and qualifications seafarers, officers and captains on staff have and compare them with the new competency requirements of the updated STCW Convention.
2. Identify training gaps: detect which profiles need additional training in electronic navigation, safety, energy efficiency or alternative fuels.
3. Select accredited training centers: ensure that the chosen center has already updated its curricula and has the accreditations required by the new amendments.
4. Plan training before entry into force: although the exact date is not specified, it is advisable to act in advance to prevent crew from becoming unable to operate in international ports.
5. Monitor national transposition: stay alert to Official Gazette publications and the Directorate General for Merchant Marine to learn how Spain incorporates these amendments into its internal regulations and what timelines it establishes.
6. Update internal HR procedures: incorporate verification of updated STCW compliance in the recruitment and contract renewal processes for onboard personnel.