STCW Harassment Training in 2026: What Changed, and What You Should Check
International basic-training standards now address violence and harassment. Understand the January 2026 change, then check how the relevant administration applies it to your training records.
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General safety awareness. Follow your vessel’s instructions and training; this article is not an operating procedure.
If you have seen adverts announcing a new “mandatory harassment certificate”, pause before paying. An international training change took effect on 1 January 2026, but the steps an individual seafarer needs to take must be checked with the relevant maritime administration and approved training provider.
What changed internationally
Amendments to STCW Code table A-VI/1-4 introduced competence relating to preventing and responding to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault. The material forms part of Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities within basic training.
IMO confirms the 1 January 2026 entry-into-force date. That is the date of the international amendment, not proof that every existing certificate holder worldwide must buy the same standalone course on the same day.
Avoid treating a training company's advertisement as the final interpretation of a flag state's requirements. An employer may also have its own training programme, which is a separate question from statutory certificate acceptance.
Check the requirements that apply to you
Ask the administration responsible for your certification, and where relevant the ship's flag administration, how the change affects your circumstances. An approved provider should be able to identify the authority approving its course.
Useful questions are:
- Does my existing training remain accepted for the role and vessel?
- Is additional or updated training required, and by when?
- What approved evidence should I retain?
- Will the course being offered satisfy the relevant requirement?
Keep the written answer and course details with your records. Do not assume that an online badge is accepted merely because the sales page uses the letters STCW.
Training should connect to onboard support
An illustrative example: a crew member completes the updated module but still does not know whom to contact when their supervisor is the person causing concern. The missing piece is the vessel's reporting and support information.
Ask how concerns can be raised, what alternative route exists when the usual contact is involved, and how information is handled. A certificate does not itself investigate a complaint or guarantee a particular legal outcome.
Your takeaway: understand the new training topic, verify your own certification requirements and learn the practical support routes aboard. If someone is in immediate danger, use the vessel's emergency procedures; do not wait for a course or an administrative answer.
Your next step
Find welfare and support contacts
Free to use: official welfare, union and legal-help routes, and what to do first in an emergency.
Sources
- IMO: Joint IMO/ILO working groups on seafarer issues. STCW Code table A-VI/1-4 subject matter and entry into force on 1 January 2026
- IMO: Raft of shipping rules in force from 1 January 2026. Confirms the January 2026 international training amendment; does not establish every flag state’s transitional certificate policy
Sources are references, not endorsements. Examples in this article are illustrative and do not describe a particular company, ship or person. Arrangements vary by employer and vessel: your own ship's instructions come first.
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