On 23 February 2026, the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 12) opened at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization in London. This session marks a decisive stage in the full review of the STCW Convention and Code — the global rulebook for seafarer training and certification.
The IMO’s review is not a routine update. It is a deep, structural rewrite that could reshape how officers and ratings train, qualify, and work at sea for the next decade. For maritime employers, crewing platforms such as SeaEmploy, and training institutes worldwide, the changes will influence recruitment standards, simulator investments, and compliance strategies.
Why the IMO’s STCW Review Matters Now
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) entered into force in 1978. The last major overhaul came with the Manila Amendments in 2010. Since then, shipping has changed fast. Digital navigation, alternative fuels, remote monitoring, and cybersecurity now define daily operations onboard.
The IMO’s current review responds to these shifts. Member States agreed that piecemeal amendments no longer work. The Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) therefore launched a comprehensive revision of both the Convention and its detailed Code. HTW 12 continues that work in 2026 with drafting groups, technical correspondence groups, and regulatory mapping exercises.
According to official IMO meeting documents and circulars published at www.imo.org, the review focuses on closing gaps between modern ship technology and outdated competency tables. Many training tables still reflect practices from the early 2000s. The industry now demands a broader skillset.
Key Areas Likely to Change in the STCW Convention
1. Digital and Cybersecurity Competencies
Cyber risk management will likely become mandatory at operational and management levels. Officers may need formal competence in identifying cyber threats, managing onboard IT systems, and responding to cyber incidents. Expect clearer assessment criteria, not just awareness-level knowledge.
2. Alternative Fuels and Decarbonization Skills
With ships increasingly using LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hybrid systems, the Code may introduce new competence standards for handling low- and zero-carbon fuels. This could mirror the IGF Code structure but embed fuel-specific skills into mainstream certification paths.
Training institutes may need upgraded simulators. Engine officers could face new endorsement requirements for alternative fuel propulsion systems.
3. Automation and Remote Operations
Automation reduces manual workload but increases system oversight responsibilities. The revised STCW may define competencies for monitoring automated systems, understanding AI-supported decision tools, and handling system failures.
Discussions also consider future remote-controlled or autonomous ship operations. While fully autonomous ships remain limited, competence frameworks must anticipate them.
Human Element and Mental Health in Focus
The IMO’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping places strong emphasis on people. Fatigue management, leadership, and cultural awareness may receive stronger regulatory backing.
The Manila Amendments introduced rest-hour rules. The new revision could refine enforcement and competence-based fatigue risk management training. Mental health awareness may become a required learning outcome, especially at management level.
Leadership and teamwork standards could shift from theoretical knowledge to scenario-based assessment. Bridge and engine resource management training may require more practical evaluation, not only classroom instruction.
Modernizing Assessment and Certification
Another major theme involves how competence is assessed. Some Member States argue that paper-based assessments no longer reflect operational reality.
The revised Code may:
- Strengthen simulator-based evaluation criteria
- Define clearer evidence standards for onboard assessment
- Harmonize revalidation processes across administrations
- Introduce digital certification frameworks
Digital certificates, already piloted by several flag States, could receive formal recognition in the Convention text.
Environmental and Safety Integration
Environmental compliance has become central to ship operations. The updated STCW may integrate knowledge of MARPOL requirements, emissions reporting, and energy efficiency measures into core competencies.
Instead of treating environmental awareness as secondary, the review may align it with safety culture. Officers could need to demonstrate practical application of emissions control procedures and fuel-switching operations.
Where the Committee Meets and How the Process Works
HTW 12 takes place at IMO Headquarters in London. Delegations from Member States, intergovernmental organizations, and industry observers participate. The Sub-Committee drafts amendments. These then move to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for approval and eventual adoption.
The process spans multiple sessions. Correspondence groups work between meetings to refine text. Adoption will likely take several years, followed by a transitional implementation period for training providers and flag States.
This structured, multi-year pathway ensures global consistency. It also gives maritime academies time to adjust curricula, upgrade simulators, and retrain instructors.
