Top 6 Non-STCW Courses Every Shipping Company Should Offer in 2025

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) forms the backbone of maritime safety and competency. Every seafarer, regardless of rank or vessel type, is required to complete STCW courses before working at sea. Yet the maritime industry is evolving. Regulatory pressures, environmental responsibilities, and modern vessel technology demand that shipping companies look beyond STCW to strengthen compliance and enhance crew capability.

At Seaman Solutions, we provide both STCW and non-STCW training aligned with Flag State regulations, Seaman Book applications, and the realities of today’s shipping industry. While STCW remains a global standard, non-STCW training is increasingly critical to meet operational requirements, international conventions, and corporate safety management systems.

This article outlines the Top 6 Non-STCW courses every shipping company should prioritize in 2025, based on emerging compliance trends, industry best practices, and RINA-approved course structures.

Why Non-STCW Training Matters

Non-STCW courses extend professional development beyond the mandatory STCW framework. They address specialized areas such as environmental protection, energy efficiency, auditing, and advanced technical knowledge.

For shipping companies, the benefits are clear:

• Improved compliance with IMO, EU, and flag state regulations.
• Enhanced risk management and reduced incidents.
• Stronger performance during Port State Control inspections.
• Career growth opportunities for seafarers, strengthening retention and recruitment.

With growing demands from regulators and charterers alike, offering structured non-STCW courses is no longer optional; it is a strategic necessity.

1. ISM Code and Internal Audits

The International Safety Management (ISM) Code is central to safe ship operations. While compliance is mandatory, shipping companies benefit from equipping crew and shore staff with deeper audit skills.

• Course focus: Understanding ISM principles, preparing for internal and external audits, identifying non-conformities, and implementing corrective actions.
• Why it matters: Internal audit training ensures companies are ready for external inspections and minimizes the risk of detentions.
• 2025 priority: With increasing scrutiny on Safety Management Systems (SMS), this training directly impacts operational credibility.

2. EU ETS & Environmental Compliance

The European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the forthcoming FuelEU Maritime Regulation impose significant obligations on shipping companies. Non-compliance carries financial and reputational risks.

• Course focus: Monitoring, reporting, and verifying CO₂ emissions, managing allowances, and integrating decarbonization strategies.
• Why it matters: Environmental compliance is now tied directly to profitability and port access.
• 2025 priority: EU ETS training ensures staff can meet the reporting obligations while preparing for future IMO and regional climate measures.

3. Alternative Fuels & New Energy Products

Decarbonization is reshaping maritime propulsion. From LNG to hydrogen and ammonia, alternative fuels are rapidly gaining ground.

• Course focus: Safety requirements, handling procedures, fuel characteristics, and risk assessment of alternative fuels.
• Why it matters: Crew need specialized knowledge to operate vessels using new energy sources safely and efficiently.
• 2025 priority: With IMO greenhouse gas targets accelerating, shipping companies must build competency in zero-emission fuels.

4. The Designated Person Ashore (DPA) in the SMS

Every company must appoint a Designated Person Ashore (DPA) under the ISM Code. The DPA serves as the bridge between the company and vessels, ensuring safety and pollution prevention.

• Course focus: Roles and responsibilities of the DPA, crisis response, monitoring compliance, and supporting masters.
• Why it matters: A well-trained DPA strengthens the entire Safety Management System and demonstrates accountability to flag states.
• 2025 priority: With regulators paying closer attention to shore-based safety oversight, DPA training is essential for compliance.

5. Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)

The MLC 2006 sets minimum standards for seafarers’ working and living conditions. Shipping companies must ensure compliance to avoid detentions and reputational risks.

• Course focus: Crew contracts, hours of rest, onboard welfare, repatriation rights, and inspection requirements.
• Why it matters: Protects both crew welfare and company reputation. Enhances retention by demonstrating commitment to fair working conditions.
• 2025 priority: As seafarer welfare remains under the global spotlight, MLC training is becoming essential for crewing managers and officers.

6. Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis

Accidents at sea can have severe human, environmental, and financial consequences. Understanding not only what happened but also why it happened is critical.

• Course focus: Investigating accidents, identifying immediate and underlying causes, and developing corrective and preventive actions.
• Why it matters: Builds a culture of safety and transparency. Supports compliance with ISM and flag state reporting requirements.
• 2025 priority: With growing expectations from insurers, charterers, and regulators, strong investigative skills are vital to avoid repeated incidents.

Additional Recommended Courses

While the six listed above represent priority areas, other valuable non-STCW courses for 2025 include:

• Risk Assessment Advanced: Strengthening hazard identification and mitigation.
• CII Compliance & Monitoring: Meeting IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator requirements.
• Human Factors Management: Addressing fatigue, leadership, and behavioral safety.
• Media Handling: Preparing officers to manage external communication during incidents.

Shipping companies that integrate a broad mix of these trainings will build stronger compliance frameworks and a more resilient workforce.

How Seaman Solutions Supports Non-STCW Training

At Seaman Solutions, we specialize in bridging the gap between STCW certification, Seaman Book issuance, and non-STCW training. Our platform streamlines applications across multiple flag states, ensuring compliance while reducing administrative delays.

Our non-STCW course offerings, often RINA-approved, include flexible online and classroom formats, making it easier for shipping companies to train both crew and shore staff. We support:

• Seaman Book processing is linked with required training.
• Flag state documentation aligned with ISM, ISPS, and MLC compliance.
• STCW and non-STCW integration for a complete career pathway.

By offering both core STCW and advanced non-STCW training, we ensure shipping companies remain compliant, competitive, and ready for future regulatory shifts.

Final Thoughts

While STCW courses remain essential for every seafarer, 2025 will demand much more from shipping companies. Non-STCW training provides the tools to address evolving regulatory frameworks, environmental pressures, and operational risks.

By prioritizing the Top 6 courses—ISM Audits, EU ETS, Alternative Fuels, DPA in SMS, MLC 2006, and Incident Investigation—companies strengthen compliance and empower crews to operate at higher levels of safety and efficiency.

At Seaman Solutions, we make this process simple. With one platform to handle Seaman Book applications, Flag State compliance, STCW certifications, and non-STCW training, we give maritime organizations the clarity and confidence they need to operate successfully.

Shipping companies that invest in both STCW and non-STCW training in 2025 will not only meet regulatory requirements but also build safer, stronger, and more sustainable operations.