by Konstantin 
04 Jun, 2026 What has changed in STCW since 2026: what can a sailor know?
From 1 January 2026, important changes related to the training of seafarers entered into force within the STCW framework. They are connected not only with technical safety, emergency situations or professional skills on board. The new requirements pay special attention to the human element: prevention of violence, harassment, bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault on board. For a seafarer, this means that modern maritime training covers not only actions during an alarm or emergency, but also proper conduct within the crew, respect for colleagues, the ability to recognize dangerous situations and respond to them professionally.
What STCW is and why these changes are important
STCW is the international convention on standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers. It defines the minimum standards of knowledge, skills and competence required for seafarers to work on ships. For crewing companies, shipowners and maritime administrations, STCW is one of the main systems used to assess a seafarer’s readiness to work on board.
The 2026 changes show that safety on board is no longer viewed only as a matter of equipment, navigation or emergency procedures. Communication, discipline, psychological safety, mutual respect and the crew’s ability to act correctly in difficult interpersonal situations play an important role on board.
What exactly changed from 2026
The main changes were made to the section of the STCW Code that deals with standards of training in emergency, occupational safety, security, medical care and survival functions. In particular, Table A-VI/1-4 was updated. This table is related to training in personal safety and social responsibilities on board.
A new competence has been added to the programme, concerning the prevention of and response to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault. This means that a seafarer must not simply know the rules of conduct, but must also understand how to recognize a problem, how to act in the event of an incident and why such situations affect the safety of the entire crew.
Why this topic became part of maritime training
A ship is a closed space where people not only work, but also live together for a long period of time. In such conditions, conflicts, pressure, humiliation, abuse of authority or inappropriate behaviour can quickly affect a person’s psychological state, the atmosphere within the crew and the safety of the ship.
If a seafarer is afraid to report a problem, feels constant pressure or does not trust the team, this can affect concentration, the quality of watchkeeping, the execution of orders and the overall work of the crew. Therefore, the new STCW requirements are aimed not only at protecting an individual person, but also at improving the safety of the ship as a whole.
What situations are covered by the new requirements
The new requirements cover different forms of unacceptable behaviour on board. This may include physical or psychological violence, systematic humiliation, insults, threats, pressure from a senior officer, isolation of a person within the crew, unwanted comments, sexual remarks, harassment or other actions that create an unsafe or degrading environment for a seafarer.
It is important to understand that such behaviour does not always look like an open conflict. Sometimes the problem develops gradually: through repeated jokes, pressure, ignoring, unequal treatment or a person’s fear of asking for help. That is why a seafarer must be able to recognize not only obvious, but also hidden forms of dangerous behaviour.
What a seafarer should know
A seafarer must understand that personal safety on board is not only about a helmet, a lifejacket or knowledge of emergency procedures. It also includes the ability to work in a team, respect other crew members, prevent humiliation, respond properly to conflicts and not keep serious incidents silent.
As part of the updated training, a seafarer should know how to recognize violence, bullying or harassment, what consequences they may have for a person and for the ship, whom to report such situations to, how to support the affected person and how to act without making the situation worse.
Who is affected by the changes
The changes apply to seafarers who undergo basic training or renew the relevant certificates after the new requirements have entered into force. This is especially important for those who plan to join a vessel, prepare documents, complete refresher training or get ready for a new contract.
If a certificate was issued earlier and is still valid, this does not always mean that it must be replaced immediately. However, a seafarer should check the requirements of the relevant administration, crewing company or shipowner. Different companies may have additional internal requirements regarding the relevance of training.
Why this is important before joining a vessel
For a seafarer, the most unpleasant situation is to find out about a problem with documents shortly before joining a vessel. A crewing company may check not only the existence of a certificate, but also whether the training meets current requirements. If the document or training programme raises questions, this may delay the joining process or lead to additional checks.
That is why documents should be checked in advance. A seafarer should pay attention to the validity period of the certificate, the date of issue, company requirements, future rank, vessel type and whether the document will expire during the contract.
How this affects crewing companies and shipowners
For a crewing company, a seafarer’s documents are not simply a set of files. They confirm that the seafarer can be safely assigned to a vessel without unnecessary risks for the company, the crew and the shipowner. The new STCW requirements add another important element of verification — the seafarer’s understanding of professional conduct and response to dangerous interpersonal situations.
Shipowners are interested in having people on board who not only have technical skills, but are also able to maintain a safe working atmosphere. Bullying, harassment or keeping problems silent may lead to conflicts, complaints, investigations, psychological exhaustion of the crew and even operational mistakes.
What a seafarer should do now
A seafarer should check their certificates in advance and understand whether their training meets the current requirements. Special attention should be paid to basic training, personal safety and social responsibilities training, as well as to the requirements of the company with which the contract is planned.
If a document needs to be renewed in 2026 or later, it is better to clarify whether the programme includes the new competencies. It is also important to check whether the completion of training can be officially confirmed and whether such a document is accepted by a specific crewing company or shipowner.
Why maritime training is becoming broader
A modern seafarer works in conditions where not only professional knowledge is important, but also the ability to work as part of a team, discipline, communication and psychological resilience. A ship may be technically ready, but if there is fear, pressure or mistrust within the crew, this creates risks for the whole team.
That is why the STCW update from 2026 should be seen not as a formality, but as part of real safety on board. A seafarer must be ready not only for an emergency alarm, but also for difficult human situations that may also affect the operation of the ship.
The STCW changes from 2026 show that the maritime profession is becoming more complex. Seafarers are expected not only to know procedures and technical rules, but also to understand responsible conduct within the crew. Prevention of violence, harassment, bullying and proper response to such cases are already part of the professional training of a modern seafarer.
Before joining a vessel or renewing documents, a seafarer should check their certificates, clarify current requirements and not postpone training until the last moment. This will help avoid delays, unnecessary questions from crewing companies and problems with document verification.
Sources: International Maritime Organization (IMO), Resolution MSC.560(108), Shipping Administration of Ukraine, STCW Code amendments effective from 1 January 2026